Stefano Pioli has once again spoken out about his time at AC Milan, admitting that he missed the club and would like a future back in Italy in some capacity.
While Pioli has started a new phase of his life and is at peace with himself, La Gazzetta dello Sport report that he still got emotional when answering questions from journalists present in Riyadh.
The good memories are mixed with the disappointment of leaving, something which makes it difficult for him to tune into the matches of his former club, clearly because he still feels such a strong attachment.
Now, though, Pioli is enjoying life in Saudi Arabia as Cristiano Ronaldo’s coach, and his record so far with Al-Nassr of 11 wins in 17 games is overall a positive one, even if this is a different challenge compared to what he is used to.
“I haven’t seen much of Milan, at the beginning of the season I didn’t feel like it. It was difficult for me to see it, so I’ve seen it very little,” he said.
“Do I miss Milan? Yes and no. I can’t think too much about the past. It’s a top club, leaving it wasn’t easy but I’m happy where I am, I’m working hard. If I look back, I miss it though… let’s look forward. For the semi-final [Juventus-Milan, on Friday] I had seats above the Milan dug out, it almost felt like I was coaching.
“Respect, sharing, loving each other was important to us and this will remain forever, even if we have other emotions. Olivier Giroud also called me, because he saw the photos. They have been five years full of emotions and I wish Milan the best, absolutely, for what we have experienced together, for San Siro and the fans.
“I believe that Ibrahimovic is a very intelligent person, he will work for the best of Milan. It is always difficult to play against Conceiçao’s teams. He made a great impression on me at Porto, he has a clear mentality, he has all the right cards.
“Coaching the national team? I would like that, very much. I must say that now I like coaching every day but in the future, yes, I would like to coach Italy very much.
“In Riyadh there are so many Milan fans, I am recognised almost more than in Milan, even in the desert they tell me ‘on fire, thank you’. Here they are growing a lot, the 2034 World Cup will help, there will certainly be beautiful stadiums, perhaps like nowhere else.
“Everyone watches the games, even if they explained to me that traditionally they meet more at home, with family or at a restaurant, than at the stadium.”
