Costacurta admits he expected more from Ibrahimovic and names picks to replace Pioli

Alessandro Costacurta has admitted that he expected Zlatan Ibrahimovic to have more of an obvious impact at AC Milan, while he named the two head coaches he would consider as good replacements for Stefano Pioli.

Costacurta spent over 20 years as a defender at Milan between 1986 and 2007 and played alongside greats such as Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, and Mauro Tassotti, forming one of the all-time iconic rearguards under head coaches such as Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello.

He wonseven Serie A titles and five Champions League/European Cup trophies throughout his career, averaging over one trophy per season during his time at the club, so it would be fair to say he know what it takes to win.

Milan at the moment meanwhile are a hive of uncertainty. Pioli is on his way out but there is nothing concrete about his replacement, offers are expected for star players and there are some big gaps in the squad to fill, plus a big gap to Inter that must be overturned.

Costacurta spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about a number of topics from the fan protests to the derby against Inter last month as well as the future of the club beyond the managerial appointment.

Billy, is the San Siro protest more justified or ungenerous?

“Ungenerous. Second place, behind a team that went at the pace Inter have, remains a good result. They got themselves above Atalanta, the new Roma, Juve. A certainty that must keep their heads up.”

Did the last derby show that Inter were too stronger?

“I saw the real weakness in the two legs against Roma. In the two European games I was amazed by the attitude of the team, little aware of what was at stake, namely the possibility of changing the season.

“And then the suspicion arises that something happened between the team and the coach that caused the relationship to deteriorate. The results would prove it: before those matches Milan had won seven in a row, after that they only did it against Cagliari. Before and after the spirit was different, something must have broken.”

What are the solutions for the post-Pioli era?

“I would choose a good Italian, with international experience. Basically one of either Conte or De Zerbi. There is little to add about Conte, I think differently about De Zerbi than Capello. They both have personality and ruthless mentality, they transfer their ideas and their spirit.

“I like coaches like that, that’s why I’m not against Conceiçao, but I didn’t like them very well in the dressing room, with a quality of play and a tough character, like Capello himself. When he got angry, he kicked bags.”