Pioli: “There will be changes, I want a right winger who can beat his man, I had a good relationship with Maldini but Milan decided to change direction”

Stefano Pioli gave today his first press conference of the pre-season as the Rossoneri are back at Milanello.

Today marked the first day of the 2023/24 pre-season and Pioli and the Diavolo players, or at least the ones who are not still on vacation, returned to training at Milanello.

It was the first day of the new Milan without Paolo Maldini and Frederica Massara, but still with Pioli who is ready to take part in his 5th season in Red and Black.

The coach sat at his usual chair today to take questions with the press:

Hello Mister Pioli. What are your first sensations, first feelings of this first day back to training? It always makes an impression, it’s always an important day…
“Well, it should be like this. I feel good, I feel excited, but this should be the way. It’s good to see the players again, it’s good to see our fans, the people who work here at Milanello. But now it’s time to get back to work because we have to clarify our ideas, knowing what we’ve got, who we’ve got and what we can do.”

How has this month been for you? A lot has changed, it’s a new Milan, new players, new objectives… there’s a lot new about Milan. And there’s a sort of a new role for you, which is a Manager in the British sense, are you involved in transfers as well?
“Well, I want to thank Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara. It’s the longest working relationship I’ve had with directors and I owe a lot to him. We had a good relationship, I respected them, but I was also close to them, I liked them. But Milan decided to change direction. I’ve always felt part of the plans, though; I don’t feel my role has changed that much, I’ve always felt involved in transfer discussions. Now it’s Geoffrey [Moncada] and Giorgio [Furlani] I’m working with, and we will work together, we all collaborate. I’ve always worked, I worked during the month off because I think it’s important to work. And I’ve always worked hard with new arrivals, I did in the past with Mike Maignan and Olivier Giroud, trying to get new people involved and trying to get them used to my style. So I don’t think my role has changed that much, really. We’ll share ideas, we’ll share thoughts. I think our transfer market is always, well often full of surprises, but full of ideas. It’s creative.”

I want to ask you about your new structure, your new role: do you have a bit more power in choices and in the transfer market in respect to previous years? Have you got more power? Can you have more of an impact, is it true or not?
“It’s not true, in the sense that even before I was asked to give an idea, I was asked if I was interested in certain signings. I don’t conduct negotiations, I don’t make the economic moves, but I’ve always been asked about players. I participate in that part of the choice, the players for the team. I really respect my players, I hold them in a very high esteem. They’ve won a Scudetto, they’ve reached the semi-finals of the Champions League. But now it was time to make a few changes, we felt.”

Two things: last year you said it was too difficult to win the Scudetto because the team was not quite there, and then you said that Sandro Tonali would improve a lot, and you said Ismaël Bennacer will surprise people and you were correct, and you said Rade Krunić too. Who do you think this season will surprise everyone?
“When you coach a team like Milan you have to give everything and your objectives have to be everything. You have to try and play to do as well as possible, to win something. This is obvious. And your objectives have to be to continue to grow and improve, and this would be our objective – to improve the squad rather than to improve players individually. It’s difficult to respond to the other question about the player who could surprise you this year because we’re in the middle of the transfer market, so I can’t say who will be the key player or the player of the season, so to speak.”

Talking about the transfer market, every day there is something new. You’re playing in an important tournament in America. What kind of team could be going to America?
“Well, the transfer market ends on the 31st of August, so I don’t think we could be going to our American your with our complete squad for next season. But from now until the end of July when we part for America, I expect a few changes.”

You said your role hasn’t changed too much, but there’s a different atmosphere at the club. The fans are showing faith, they are outside of Milanello and they are in good humor. Do you think the new structure might just make the expectations a bit higher?
“If the question is if I feel alone, then no… If I feel isolated? I don’t. But also, the fortunes of the coach is always in the hands of the Club. It depends on what kind of work you do, what kind of results you’re getting, it depends on that. If the results are going well, you’re good, and you stay. And that’s the same for everybody. I see all the responsibility given to me and I’ll do everything I can to the best I can. And I hope we have a very positive season. Regarding our fans, they continue to show they’re unique, they’re the best. We’ve always had a good relationship, a relationship of equals: we give everything and they give everything. And we want to continue this way.”

Previously, you’ve been asked about the department that would need more work and development. Perhaps last year, Milan didn’t have a replacement for Giroud. Would you be investigating that? The replacement for Giroud, so to speak…
“I don’t really think it’s fair to isolate or to mention individual players. There will be changes, yes. We had Zlatan Ibrahimović as well, and we don’t have Ibra anymore. So it’s an objective yes, to try and find a replacement for Giroud.”

You said it’s time for a few changes. Were you talking about tactics or players?
“I was talking about both. First I was referring to the players, because as I said before, this is my 5th season more or less, so therefore it’s normal that there will be changes. I feel like an architect who built a house which is solid, but there might need to be a few changes. Some parts of the house need to be refurnished, let’s say. As for tactics, it’s the same, but it is part of my work and my way of working. I work with the staff, I work with the players and we look for solutions and perhaps new positions for players. A lot will depend on what the new players bring, it’d depend on the characteristics of the new signings. And we want quality, intelligent players, and then we can try new things.”

I had a look at the fixtures and I saw 2 things: the first thing is that after 5 of the 6 matches of the Champions League, the next match is at home. This is what Rudi Garcia as the Roma manager said about his team: no away trips Europe. The second thing I noticed is that in January, because of the African Cup of Nations – Napoli would not play Milan or Inter. There will be a five day break for a match for Milan…
“You’re being a bit controversial, aren’t you? You’re talking about things that are controversial. I want to speak about this season with great motivation and great positivity and faith. That’s what we’ve always done. The fixtures, the matches… sooner or later you have to play everyone. Whether you have a four-day break, or a three-day break between matches, or a five-day break. The season starts in 50 days, more or less. And in these 50 days we have to work seriously and work hard. And if we work hard and have a good preparation then we can play well.”

You changed a few things in midfield. The fact that you are concentrating on foreign players and not Italian players for midfield – is that something that can be complicated for you?
“It’s not a choice that we don’t want Italians. It’s not that we don’t want Italians. The market suggests possibilities, it gives you certain options, and we want players who will be adaptable, able to play our kind of football, whether they are Italian or foreign. We’re talking about players who are of a very good level, who don’t need too much time to adapt because the team has already got a good strong solid foundation.”

I would to ask you two questions about the absence of Ibrahimović: will he be a big absence, is there a need for new leaders in the team? And who could perhaps take his place? And also, do you one day see Ibra as a Club Manager or director in the future?
“Well yes, this team – thanks to Zlatan – grew a lot. But now we have players who can take his place as leaders in the dressing room, not just the ones you mentioned but also Simon Kjær and Alessandro Florenzi. The team is a lot more mature than it was 3 years ago. Even negative moments made the team more mature. But it will be a challenge to replace Ibra’s leadership, it’s true. But we have to be a winning team even without Zlatan. As for a Club Manager, well, Zlatan is always welcome here at Milanello. I’m not the one who will give him the club and I don’t know. I spoke with him a bit a few days ago but I don’t know what he wants to do, I don’t know what his plans are for the next part of his life.”

Have you had to reassure any of the players who were very connected to Maldini? Did you have to calm them down or did you have to try to console them?
“Maldini and Massara were very important people in this journey, in this project. But it’s the Club who gives continuity and the players who they play for, the players know who we are. The players are all motivated to give their best.”

Have you heard from the owner of the Club, Gerry Cardinale?
“I spoke to him this morning and he sent a message to the team. He sent a message of good luck, he said give your best, he said we’ll see each other soon and he motivated us for the next season.”

Tonali was sold… How did you take his departure?
“Obviously it’s a very big loss, in terms of skill. And replacing him will be difficult. I think the situation on his departure suited all parties: him, us and the team he joined.”

Talking of Napoli, Inter, Juventus – everyone is making a few changes… who do you will be the opponents who will be toughest for Milan this season?
“Well I think it will be the usual opponents. You guys tell us who will win the Scudetto and who will finish where, you journalists do that: who will be the favorites, who will struggle… this is what you journalists do. But it doesn’t matter now. Nothing really happens that matters for the league table until the 21st of August. I think it will be a very fiercely-competed league and we will have to use our qualities.”

How important would it be to have a normal season after the last season which was interrupted by the World Cup?
“It’s good to have these weeks at the beginning of the season where we can work on things and get prepared. There will be fewer midweek matches this season which is an advantage.”

Have there been any changes in your staff?
“Roma and Betti, from the goalkeeping coaches, have gone and soon some new people will be joining in this department.”

I imagine that you’ve spoken to Luka Romero and Ruben Loftus-Cheek about their ambitions. Have you spoken to Samuel Chukwueze and Tijjani Reijnders?
“Loftus-Cheek and Romero are very motivated and really, really happy to be here. We expect a lot from them and they expect a lot. They’re excited. It’s going to be good. Some of the best characteristics you can search for in players, and not just skill, is motivation. Aside from technical ability, you have to find motivated people who will give everything, every day. We are looking for this kind of players. I speak a bit of all languages, but badly. People understand me; I think people understand me; I hope everyone understands me…”

What kind of midfielder are you looking for and what kind of right winger are you looking for?
“I want someone on the right wing who can beat his man, who can do well in 1v1, who can dribble. As for central midfielders, I want players with different characteristics who can complement each other: one who could perhaps make runs, one who can be a playmaker, one who can do a few skills, one who moves around. It’s a system, it’s a system that will always move around and I want a fluid midfield. We’ll see who’s out there.”

Two years ago, Milan did their transfer business very, very early: Giroud and Tomori. Last year, Milan conducted a few last-minute transfer deals. What will it be this year? There have already been some early acquisitions? Do you prefer this and avoid last-minute transfers?
“Well yes, it’s clear. I mean, when you play the league season with 2 matches before the transfer window closes, it’s not great. It’s the same for everybody. We won’t be complete when the season starts, or when we go on tour – we won’t be complete. But I think we’ll have some signings.”

Pierre Kalulu arrived as a fullback, then he moved to central defense. Last season he struggled a bit. Do you consider him a right back or a center back? Or do you still need more defenders?
“I think you’re right. We perhaps confused him a bit by playing him fullback and then in central defense. I think our defense is well stocked-up, unless there are any developments. I think it’s the area where we have got the most players.”

They said at the end that your relationship with Maldini was a little bit strained, with one or two disagreements. And straight away after his exit there were discussions that Maldini wanted to sack you…
“I had a great relationship with Paolo, full of faith and respect. We had arguments, of course, but more in the Scudetto season. But it’s normal, nothing unusual for a director and a coach. In some situations we were not on the same path, but we never lacked respect. If a coach thinks about getting fired, he’ll probably end up getting fired. I’m relaxed, I never feared I’d be released by the Club. I know the risks of this job and you have to accept everything can happen.”

Today is the first start of the season without Silvio Berlusconi alive after 37 years. Berlusconi is history at Milanello, there are a lot of pictures of him. How are you going through this situation without Silvio? And can you remember the first time you met him?
“I was on an airplane heading to the Maldives and I had heard the news that he’d died. I never met him, apart from once when I was playing for Verona and he came into the dressing room. We drew 0-0. I was marking Ruud Gullit that day… I was very disappointed and sad when I heard about his passing. I spoke with him a few days before, he loved Milan and you could tell that from his voice, he absolutely loved Milan. And I saw him in the night of the Scudetto party at the Piazza del Duomo. Milan have a lost a point of reference, someone who had a huge impact in the history of the Club. I spoke to Adriano Galliani and he was thinking about a trophy dedicated to Berlusconi and I’m sure Milan would be happy to be involved in it if it occurs.”

There are rumours of Franco Baresi, as Honorary Vice President of Milan, might be at Milanello more often and have more involvement…
“I don’t know if that’s the case, I don’t know. Franco is already someone who motivates us. Franco Baresi is Milan. His charisma, his personality, he is 100% Milanista and it’d be good to have him around.”