Montella: “I stopped AC Milan from selling 3 first-team players”

Former AC Milan coach Vincenzo Montella returned victorious at San Siro for the first time as opponent in charge of Fiorentina.

MILAN NEWS – Fiorentina thrashed AC Milan at San Siro winning 3-1 thanks to a fantastic performance form Frack Ribery. It was the sixth time Marco Giampaolo and Montella faced each other with one draw and two victories for each up to that point. It was also the first time coach Vincenzo Montella encountered his former team.

Montella was coach of AC Milan for a year and a half between 2016-2017. He led the Rossoneri to their first title since 2011 winning the Supercoppa Italiana, defeating Juventus 4–3 in a penalty shootout. He was sacked at the start of his second season with Gennaro Gattuso put in charge as his replacement

“Coaching AC Milan was a fantastic experience, we won a trophy even if someone forgets it. We did not sign any players that year and we still qualified in Europa League after a few years out. I don’t consider it a negative experience“, said the former coach.

Montella revealed a mercato backstory when was Milan’s coach: “When I arrived Suso was about to be sold, just like Cutrone and Calabria. I think a good job was done, not just the victory in the Italian Super Cup. Donnarumma was already playing but that was Sinisa Mihajlovic’s merit“. Suso, Cutrone and Calabria became first-team players under Montella.

The Italian also offered his opinion on new AC Milan coach Marco Giampaolo: “Especially in Italy an episode can influence the judgment of a coach. It is important to have strong club behind that gives you confidence and time. I wish Giampaolo the best because he deserves it“.

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