The 43-year-old paid the price for failing to perform despite splashing the cash in the summer!
Former AC Milan coach Vincenzo Montella (Photo: Twitter)
Struggling Italian giants AC Milan on Monday announced that they had removed Vincenzo Montella from his post as first team coach and club legend Gennaro Gattuso, currently in charge of of the ‘Primavera’ squad, would be his replacement.
#ACMilan announce to have parted ways with @VMontella. Management of the first team is entrusted to Gennaro Gattuso, who leaves his position as Primavera coach and to whom we wish the best of luck
— AC Milan (@acmilan) November 27, 2017
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Montella, in charge of the Rossoneri since 2016, had come under pressure in recent weeks to deliver after a summer spree saw the seven-time European champions spend close to €200 million in the transfer market.
The desired results had not been forthcoming in the Serie A, with Milan languishing in seventh place, a massive 18 points behind leaders Napoli.
A 3-2 loss to derby rivals Inter in October had many fans calling for Montella’s resignation, despite it being early days in the 2017-18 season. Montella could not turn things around, however, and losses to Juventus and Napoli had effectively sealed his fate.
Montella’s last game in charge was a 0-0 draw with Torino at the San Siro, a tie which saw many disgruntled Rossoneri supporters voice their frustrations from the stands.
Gattuso, who played for Milan from 1999-2013 and was widely regarded as one of the finest defensive midfielders of his era, has been managing the ‘Primavera’ side since 2017 but it remains to be seen whether his managerial career will be as successful as his playing one.
Milan’s first game under Gattuso will be a Serie A tie away at Benevento and all eyes will be on the fiery former midfielder when he sits in the dugout.
Despite their travails in the Serie A, the Rossoneri have impressed in the UEFA Europa League, where they are topping Group D with 11 points from five games and are among the only teams in the competetion to remain unbeaten.
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