For most managers beginnings are humble. They either start in the lower divisions, working their way to the top after gaining enough experience or manage clubs not having lofty ambitions. Then there are managers whose first managerial job is to take reins of a club that is one of the most successful ones in Europe but is in decline. Such is the plight of former Netherlands international Clarence Seedorf. The Dutchman made a big name for himself during his time at Milan, winning two Champions League crowns with the San Siro giants apart from other accolades.
It was a bit surprising to see the player announce his retirement as a player and then being given a very tough managerial job without ever being part of a coaching staff at any level. The Dutchman arrives at a turbulent period for Milan.
Seedorf’s task is not enviable by any means as he has a lot of work to do. Some of the team’s most important players have performed way below their potential. Results have been poor, displays shambolic, San Siro no longer a fortress it once used to be and Barbara Berlusconi is dominating the administrative side of things as veteran vice-president Adriano Galliani is pushed out the door gradually.
Rather than going for more qualified candidates, the club’s management has chosen to bring in former glories at the helm which is clearly a desperate attempt to cover the existing cracks on the very foundations of the club.
And the decision to bring in a novice for the Milan job has surprised Fabio Capello as well.
In a recent interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, the Russia manager said, “Clearly [Seedorf] is gaining experience [of playing in Brazil]. But to immediately take responsibility of Milan is something else.”
Moreover, it appears that another former player in the shape of Jaap Stam is set to become the assistant manager of the club which means that the coaching staff could have a sharp outlook of a college reunion.
Expectations will have to be low if Seedorf is to find some sort of success in the remaining portion of the campaign. The club is far away from a Champions League berth and it is going to take nothing short of a miracle for Milan to muscle their way to a top three position.
As things stand, the club’s main priority has to be to salvage lost pride and start putting in a run of results that restores confidence. A special relationship with the Rossoneri and its faithful means that the Dutchman will get a lot of support but that support has to result in improvement in some way.
Although he has been lauded for his maturity and understanding of the game, it still is difficult to justify Seedorf’s appointment. He will get the right reception from the club’s fans. Milan fans are not the ones to shun their former players.
For a long time, Milan faithful have not had much to cheer about. The return of a former hero definitely gives them something to smile about in what has been an otherwise forgettable and painful campaign.
