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Massimo Oddo is delighted to be remaining as the head coach of Milan Futuro, insisting that his main mission is to develop the players of the future.
Oddo returned to Milan partway through the debut campaign for the Futuro, who had started badly under Daniele Bonera and thus the club decided to make a change in the head coach role.
Results began to pick up under the new boss, but it was not enough to undo the damage that had already been done and in the end they were relegated after a play-off loss to SPAL.
Despite having the most heartbreaking end, the Rossoneri leadership have shown their faith in Oddo by handing him a contract until 2027, meaning he will lead the team in Serie D too.
Oddo speaks to Milan TV
To celebrate the new deal, Oddo gave an interview to the club’s official channel to outline the aims for next season and beyond. His comments were transcribed by MilanNews.
How does it feel to take the job after a tough season?
“There’s always enthusiasm when we start because that’s our job. I always say that in football you can grow from difficulties, but less so from positive moments because there’s little to learn. Even relegation is something we can start from to improve.”
What is the Milan Futuro project about?
“In football, we often talk about projects. Our first team has the project of winning, while our goal is different, that is, trying to improve these guys as much as possible who could one day reach the first team.
“Our focus is on working with young players, and perhaps for a coach that’s even better because he can see them grow and improve. The greatest satisfaction for someone who coaches these guys is seeing them one day in the first team, as happened with Camarda, Bartesaghi, and Liberali.
“If a young player reaches the first team, it’s thanks to the entire journey they take in the youth sector, starting from the grassroots and moving on to the various under-15s.”
What are the Futuro’s aims?
“In football today, we coaches are very tied to results. Milan Futuro is here to develop young players. Playing in an U23 team means having to deal with physical, technical and mental characteristics that you don’t find in a youth league because you’re playing with players who, for example, don’t have the same cunning you find in a senior league.
“Camarda struggled a lot at the start of last year playing in Serie C, but then towards the end he became a player who made the difference in Serie C. ”
There must be synergy with Allegri and the first team…
“Synergy is the first thing that must exist in a club with a second team. Our goal must be to give players to Allegri. We are available to the first team, we try to do everything we can to improve these guys, but then the decision to bring someone to the first team is up to Max.
“He has experience and has already worked at another club with a second team, so he knows how it works. I’m happy he came here to see the guys and also me, as as a player I helped him win a Scudetto here at Milan [laughs]. Jokes aside, I think it’s very important to have synergy between the first team and the second team.”
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