Milan legend Filippo Galli is confident that Julen Lopetegui may be the right option for the Rossoneri, praising the coach’s ‘spectacular football’.
The 57-year-old Spanish coach has emerged as one of the leading candidates to take over from Stefano Pioli in the summer, being on the shortlist alongside others like Thiago Motta, Francesco Farioli, Paulo Fonseca, Mark van Bommel and Domenico Tedesco.
Lopetegui has been out of work since August of last year, when he decided to leave Wolves due to a difference in ambitions. He showed some positives in his 27 matches in charge, picking up 10 wins and five draws.
Galli backs Lopetegui at Milan
Speaking on page five of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport, Galli first reacted to Lopetegui’s career in management.
“If he becomes the next Milan coach, he’ll show up with a Europa League victory having beaten Inter in the final. As a business card, it’s not bad…”
He was asked if the Spanish coach was the right man for Milan.
“The pitch will tell us. It’s true, things didn’t go well for him at Madrid and Porto, but as coach of Spain they achieved great results, offering spectacular football, and he won with Sevilla.
“If Milan are looking for a coach with experience and the ability to work with young players, Lopetegui could be an interesting option.”
The former defender commented on some of Lopetegui’s strongest aspects.
“The offensive game first and foremost, San Siro and Milan fans are used to seeing good football. Lopetegui is going in this direction and let’s not forget that he belongs to the Basque school, from Xabi Alonso to Arteta and Unai Emery, many are doing very well.
“Lopetegui is a modern coach, who builds his teams according to the principles of positional football. And at Milan he would find a ‘pre-built’ team thanks to Pioli’s work.”
Galli doesn’t expect Lopetegui to bring in sweeping changes at Milan.
“No, I don’t think so. I think that Milan have decided to move on because the club considers Pioli’s cycle, who was and remains appreciated in the club, to be over. Unfortunately, when the results don’t arrive, the coaches always pay…”
He touched on if it was a risk to hire a non-Italian coach.
“It certainly won’t be easy for Lopetegui. He has experience, but he doesn’t know Italy. We play very tactical and strategic football at the same time, he might struggle at the beginning.”
Finally, Galli discussed Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s influence and if he should back the coach.
“What matters is that the choice is shared by the entire management, with Ibrahimovic in the lead obviously. If this is the case, I have no doubts, Zlatan will protect him and put him in the best conditions.”
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