Arrigo Sacchi believes that the signings AC Milan have made this summer so far show that the club still has strong appeal.
Milan have made five signings this summer, and a couple of them stand out above the others. Firstly there is Luka Modric, the most decorated player in the history of Real Madrid, and in turn the most decorated player that the Rossoneri have ever signed. He may be nearly 40, but is still playing at an elite level.
Then there is the most recent acquisition: Ardon Jashari. After a two-month long saga between Milan and Club Brugge, a €39m operation was eventually agreed upon. Their age and experience may be at the opposite end of the scale, but a common denominator links the two: their attachment to the red and black.
Sacchi has published his latest column for La Gazzetta dello Sport and he reflected on the business that the Rossoneri have done so far this summer, and what it shows about the club’s standing.
“After his legendary career at Real Madrid ended and he said goodbye to the temple of the Bernabeu, Luka Modric insisted on moving to AC Milan.
“Despite his forty years and some legitimate doubts about his fitness (which I also have, hoping I’m wrong), the crowd immediately fell in love with him, gathering in large numbers on his presentation day.
“Swiss player Ardon Jashari, who was owned by Club Brugge, loudly demanded a transfer to Milan, who had been following him for some time, and in the end, the Belgian management had to grant his wish.
“These two stories, those of Modric and Jashari, testify to the allure the Rossoneri colours hold for players. Especially foreign ones. Even if they aren’t coming off a period of great success. You might ask: why is all this happening?
“The answer is quite simple: just look at the club’s trophy cabinet, which boasts seven (yes, seven) European Cups, in addition to countless other trophies. How many Italian teams have won so many trophies in Europe? None.
“It is logical, therefore, that the name Milan is attractive, as they say today, and that footballers aspire to wear its shirt. It’s true that Juventus has the most fans in Italy, and Milan is second with more than four million, but the Rossoneri are by far the most internationally recognised club in our country.
“Silvio Berlusconi’s epic – because it must be epic, not just history – was certainly crucial in making people fall in love. I’d add that Milan has always (or almost always) achieved results through style, beautiful play, and so there’s also an aesthetic component that shouldn’t be underestimated.
“If you mention the name Milan in Madrid, they stand at attention and listen. There’s respect, there’s esteem. Berlusconi, when he hired me to lead his team, told me he wanted to win and convince, that the goal was to achieve results through spectacle.
“I think I satisfied him, and in doing so, my Milan has gained followers throughout Europe and the world. Then came the Fabio Capello era, during which the club continued to win and amaze. Then, after the Zaccheroni spell that brought a Scudetto, came the Ancelotti era.
“And even then, the Rossoneri were appreciated more for their successes abroad than for their domestic successes. And always, I’m talking about my era, Capello’s, Zac’s, and Carletto’s, with beautiful football as their guiding star.
“A club’s history is fundamental; I rank it first in the list of qualities needed to achieve glory. The club, with its history, its style, and its values, comes before the coaches and the players. It’s the brand. We build from there.
“It’s logical that, since Milan is such an important club, the fans’ expectations are very high, and the commitment of both managers and players must be very high. Working at Milan is not like working at any other club; this must be clear.
“A Milan player is expected to behave exemplarily, always in line with the club’s philosophy. This was the case during the Berlusconi era, and I’m a firsthand witness to this, and I believe it remains the case today.
“The club is a family. Or rather, it’s a family business. Which means that the accounts, at the end of the month, must balance like any self-respecting family, and that relationships must be based on solid moral values.
“Now, I’m very happy that a champion of Modric’s caliber, even at forty, has decided to move to AC Milan, and I’m happy that the Swiss player Jashari has too. However, and I want to emphasize this, now that they’ve made this choice, they are the ones who must make themselves available to the club, not the other way around.
“Let me explain: Milan has a specific DNA, and this can’t be changed (fortunately), so players who arrive (any player) have the obligation to adapt without trying to bypass the hierarchies. Milan’s allure is born from its style and its history, and no one can ever erase that.”
