Costacurta gives thoughts on Milan’s ups and downs plus Allegri and Tare links | OneFootball

Alessandro Costacurta believes that Igli Tare could be a good fit for AC Milan, and that Massimiliano Allegri could be ‘perfect’ as the next head coach.

With 663 appearances for Milan, Costacurta has a more educated point of view than most when it comes to knowing what it requires and what it means to win in the red and black shirt.

He played for Milan from 1987 to 2007, winning seven league titles, five Champions Leagues, two Intercontinental Cups and one Coppa Italia. Not a bad return at all, and it makes him one of the icons of Italian football.

However, what has happened to the Rossoneri this season cannot make him happy. The team are ninth in the league and on the verge of yet more big changes, aiming to correct the course after a dire campaign.

Costacurta did an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport published this morning in which he spoke about his former club in detail.

The new sporting director will choose the coach. Tare, today in pole position, is he the right profile?

“First of all, it is right to introduce that type of figure into the club. Not only as a reference for the technical area, or a market man, but for all the strategic choices of the club. I believe that in the last two years a director like that has been missing. And Tare has already shown that he knows how to do his job very well.”

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Milan, by the admission of CEO Furlani, are looking for a traditional figure who knows how to work in a team. Is that the right profile?

“All the profiles that are linked to the club are absolutely suitable. Regardless of who is chosen, the important thing is that Milan has decided to do things well, with people who can help that sector of the club.”

As a former player, can having an authoritative sporting director at Milanello support the group?

“Ibra is already there to talk to the team, he knows the group dynamics perfectly. There needs to be a broader management reference. Maldini himself made some mistakes at the beginning, but Paolo knows how to learn with surprising speed. Others in recent years have not done so. Returning to Tare, he knows football like few others.”

He would then be the one to dictate the mercato guidelines. For you, what are the priorities?

“I want to say first that the January window itself shows Milan’s desire to improve, there was a strong commitment from the management and ownership. The players signed, regardless of their current performance, confirm this.

“We will evaluate Gimenez better later, but at the time he was an excellent choice, Walker is a player who can be useful to any team in Europe.”

After two foreign coaches, is it time to go back to an Italian?

“More than anything that he knows Italy, Serie A, the players. And that he has experience. I won’t comment on nationality. I hope to see a good base of Italians on the pitch, that’s for sure.

“Whether there’s a coach among them is relative: certainly someone who has spent many years with us would fit in better, he would know that passion and above all pressure are different.”

Allegri knows perfectly the dynamics of Serie A and also Milanello…

“The current team would be perfect for him. And Max is a guarantee if you want to get back into the top four right away. At the same time, I admit that I’m not exactly in love with what he proposes.

“I’m rooting for a ‘giochista’ coach [positive style of play], who presents a team that commands in the opponent’s half of the pitch. That’s what Milan fans should always have, especially today when there’s enthusiasm to be given back.

“And then the beautiful game is part of Milan’s history: I would like it to finally return after having seen very little of it in recent years.”

Is Europe still possible?

“I don’t rule anything out, too many variables: Milan’s problem has been the many ups and downs but if they’re on form, they can win against anyone. And from there get to Europe, even the biggest.

“Difficult for the many teams they have ahead of them but they shouldn’t give up. Which other teams are capable of beating Real Madrid and Inter twice? Very few.”

Is a third possible in the return derby?

“I speak from experience: I have spent many rounds of the Champions League even drawing, you don’t have to win or lose. At a certain point you can also implement a strategy to go to penalties. And if there is a team that can do it, it is Milan.”

Even though it’s such an inconsistent group?

“Too often we don’t give players their responsibilities, putting the coach in the crosshairs. Conceiçao has only recently had a whole week to prepare for the match.

“So I ask: if in the next six league games he plays like he did in Udine, reaching Europe and also lifting the Coppa Italia, what will you do, send him away? It’s a good thing I’m not a manager…”