Stating that the 2013-2014 season is a rough time to be a Milan supporter would be merely an understatement.
After last season’s miraculous turnaround that saw the Rossoneri move from flirting to relegation to qualifying for the Champions League, fans could not be blamed for, well, thinking that the roller coaster ride had finally stopped and smoother sailing was on the horizon.
After Massimiliano Allegri’s dismissal following the Diavolo’s embarrassing 4-3 reversal to Serie A newbies Sassuolo, in came ex-midfielder Clarence Seedorf in a decision that had many observers scratching their heads. After all, the former Dutch international had zero managerial experience and was just coming off a stint wrapping up his storied career at Brazilian side Botafogo.
Nonetheless, perhaps many of the club’s devoted watchers felt that maybe a fresh face on the bench would be the impetus to drive the struggling side to finally get back on track. And for a time, it appeared that things were starting to get back in order—Milan bounced back with a slim, yet much needed victory over Hellas Verona—another long-term Serie B side, but still a win nonetheless.
Disgruntled attacker Mario Balotelli was seen saluting his new coach and all appeared, for the time being to be well. Even after being dumped out of the Coppa Italia by Udinese, the team seemed to be getting back on track with a come-from-behind win over Cagliari and were held to a draw with Torino before their 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Still, given the strength of the Rojiblanco’s attack, a defeat by a solitary goal was not the worst Milan could have suffered, especially given their suspect backline at varied points throughout the season. and before their defeat in their European campaign, they had bounced back from a 3-1 drubbing to Napoli to power past Bologna, with Balotelli again being the protagonist with an unstoppable blast from distance.
Following the loss, they returned to Serie A action with another win, with new signings Adel Taarabt and Adil Rami getting themselves on the score-sheet. Indeed, it seemed that brighter things were finally coming the Rossoneri’s way.
A faint glimmer of hope…followed by four straight defeats
Well, to date, 23 February is the last time Seedorf’s men have won any fixture. In fact, they have lost four straight, being outscored by 13 to 4, and have conceded four goals in their last two games—heavy defeats to Diego Simeone’s troops in Madrid followed by a poor showing against Parma, a team that is in serious contention for European football next season whilst Milan are just struggling to stay in the top half of the table.
Seedorf's misery: After a bright start, the new coach has already hit a rough patch
The Italian press have also already grown impatient with the former player, with today's Corriere dello Sport headlines indicating that he may be on his way out in favour of current Primavera coach Pippo Inzaghi.
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"Already finished? Berlusconi regretting his decision, with Seedorf to leave soon or in June [in favour] of Inzaghi" read one headline today.
Of course, the current coach has remained optimistic stating that his "club as faith in him" and going on to point out that "there here is a lot of work to do here, so I am certain that with me the club will construct a strong Milan for the future."
In additon, Seedorf also underlined the poor shape the team he inherited was in: "When I got here, I found a team that was in poor shape physically and psychologically."
Moreover, he apparently has the support of owner Silvio Berlusconi, with the former Prime Minister declaring that "they will move forward with Seedorf into the next season."
Then again, any follower has certainly heard those same words--a defiant coach, an owner stating he still has faith in the man on the bench. Will Milan give their former player a real chance to turn things around?
After all, the problems started well before Seedorf's arrival, with the most glaring example the club's failure to ignite after the sales of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, coupled with the mass departures of key players like Alessandro Nesta and Seedorf himself in the summer of 2012. No replacements were brought in and of course, the club has suffered as a result.
Here's another interesting stat: Despite all the vitriol directed his way, former coach Allegri actually did a pretty decent job as manager of the team with which he won the Scudetto during his first season.
Interesting: Allegri's performance as coach of Milan shows a surprising good performance:
In fact, his win percentage is the second highest of any coach under Berlusconi's reign--something that is respectable given the fact that he didn't have some of the players that his precedessors had at their disposals during their league and domestic campaigns.
A coach can only do as well as the players given to him to field on the pitch. Would Pep Guardiola have been as successful if he did not have the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi, and Andres Iniesta? And again so far with Bayern Munich with personnel like Franck Ribery or Manuel Neuer?
Or Sir Alex Ferguson with Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs? Would Laurent Blanc be enjoying a comfortable lead at the top of Ligue 1 without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani, and Thiago Silva?
Probably not. Hence, given this, a lot needs to be considered as Milan look to re-group and re-evaluate ahead of the 2014-2015 campaign.
Until then, their struggles have frustrated not just the fans. Legendary defender Paolo Maldini was certainly not mincing words in an interview that will come out in tomorrow's Gazzetta dello Sport.
"They have destroyed my Milan!" Maldini hits out at the likes of Adriano Galliani et al
Indeed, regardless of the outcome, it is definitely going to be a long few months for the club, players, management, and supporters.
