Gattuso out as Milan downsize

By Football Italia staff

Milan Coach Gennaro Gattuso and director of sport Leonardo will quit today because CEO Ivan Gazidis is downsizing their ambitions, it’s reported.

There was a meeting between Gazidis and Gattuso on Monday evening in which they came to the mutual decision it was best to part ways this summer.

The tactician still has another two years on his contract, but is reportedly prepared to leave behind 90 per cent of the salary he’d be owed in order to aid a peaceful transition with the club he represented for so many years as a player.

Director of sport Leonardo is also walking away and Paolo Maldini could well follow in a complete revolution of the staff.

According to news agency Ansa, Sky Sport Italia, Sportitalia and more, the reasons are that former Arsenal chief Gazidis is downscaling Milan ambitions and costs to help meet Financial Fair Play requirements.

It is also a different approach to running the club after failing to qualify for the Champions League.

The focus would no longer be on trying to sign experienced players, but focusing on youth they can purchase cheap and then sell on at a profit.

There have also been suggestions in the Italian media that Milan could accept a plea bargain with UEFA over their FFP violations, taking a year out of European competition to wipe the slate clean.

The Rossoneri would’ve fought considerably harder if they had qualified for the Champions League, but seem content to miss out on the Europa League if it means removing the threat of a future exclusion over their heads.

The search is on for a new Coach and names mentioned include Lazio’s Simone Inzaghi, Marco Giampaolo of Sampdoria and Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim.

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