Ibrahimovic, Ancelotti Linked with Milan Return
AC Milan are in the midst of their worst season in over 20 years, and the powers that be at the club apparently feel that the best way to bring the club forward is to look to its glorious past. Set to receive a badly needed injection of cash from its new mega-rich Thai businessman co-owner, Bee Taechaubol, the club is reportedly on the market for a marquee player to rebuild the team around. Apparently the first choice is former Rossoneri striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Zlatan enjoyed a successful spell at Milan between 2010 and 2012, winning the Scudetto and the Copa Italia before moving on to Paris Saint-Germain. But after being Ligue 1’s darling for the past couple years, it’s all come a cropper for Ibra in the City of Lights this season. First, there was the injury that sidelined him for several months. Then, there was the outburst, caught on video, in which Zlatan blasted Ligue 1 and France itself, at one point referring to it as a “sh*t country.”
Reports inside Italy already suggest Milan president Adriano Galliani has already been in contact with Ibra’s agent, Mino Raiola; the club is reportedly set to offer Ibrahimovic an annual wage of €7 million plus bonuses and a guarantee of captaincy.
If Galliani does succeed in bringing Ibrahimovic back to Milan this summer, it’s unlikely that Pippo Inzaghi will be the man coaching him. Ibra’s former teammate is set to finish out the season in charge but the club is already eying potential replacements for him. While Unai Emery and Fiorentina’s Vincenzo Montella are two more likely targets, the club’s first choice is reported to be Carlo Ancelotti.
The current Real Madrid coach enjoyed a hugely successful spell in charge of the Rossoneri between 2001 and 2009, during which he won two Champions Leagues, one Serie A title, and a FIFA Club World Cup title. After guiding Real Madrid to a historic 10th European title in his first season in charge, the Italian has found himself in hot water this season. If the Madrid outfit fails to defend its European title, or to overhaul Barcelona in the Spanish title race, Ancelotti could find himself out of a job. Ancelotti, for his part, has said he prefers working outside of Italy but in the past has suggested that Milan is the only club he would consider returning to Serie A for.
In the meantime, the current Milan team welcomes second-place Roma to the San Siro on Saturday. Inzaghi’s team, currently sitting in 11th place in the table, is in the midst of a dismal run with last weekend’s 3-0 loss at Napoli their third straight defeat. Eight points adrift of a European spot, Milan have little to play for at this point but pride. A win for Roma, on the other hand, would see the capital outfit consolidate its hold on second place and automatic Champions League qualification next season.