‘He’s always the same’ – Pato believes Allegri is ‘the person that Milan needs’

Alexandre Pato believes that AC Milan have made the perfect choice in going for Massimiliano Allegri, a coach he knows well.

Allegri was previously at Milan from 2010 to 2014, winning the Scudetto and the Supercoppa Italiana during his first stint. Pato was a big part of that, playing as a forward in the title-winning team and scoring 14 goals in the league.

Now, Allegri is back for another crack at being the Rossoneri’s head coach, and they are in need of a bounce-back year after finishing eighth last season. No European distractions should help in theory, though many will hope that it will be a romantic reunion rather than a nightmarish one.

‘Always the same’

Pato spoke to Sky on the eve of Milan’s first summer friendly against Arsenal in Singapore, and he was asked about how things are going with his former club and his old coach.

Has Allegri changed since he was last at Milan?

“As a person, he’s always the same. I think that, for this moment now, he is the person that Milan needs. He brings what Ancelotti also brought for us Brazilians.

Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

“He’s someone who has won, who knows Milan very well. I’m sure he will give these players what they need on the pitch 100%. I’m really pleased that he’s here.”

Speaking of Ancelotti, what do you think of his arrival?

“For us, at the beginning, it was a bit strange because we’ve never had a manager of a different nationality different to our own.

“But, the idea to bring him in now for this moment is the best thing, because he’s someone who has one, someone who commands respect, so I’m really happy that he’s here.”