Milan Obsession

If the media were clever enough to count, I believe they would be making predictions for the scores of every single Serie A game next season. Oh, wait, that’s the betting sites. But it certainly doesn’t stop them from predicting what our new coach will wear and who his driver will be, even though we don’t actually have a new coach. Or even a sporting director. Milan are once again trapped in stasis until so many things click into place. So while the rumors are entertaining (read: ridiculous) to read, it’s really just another Milan Monday.

This week, UEFA pulled the “Go ask your mother” move… again. After re-ruling in January, then Milan trying to talk some sense into them, they further delayed their new ruling until that one was decided in the Court of Arbitration for Sport. It seems they can’t rule properly on their own Financial Fair Play guidelines to save their lives, but are becoming experts at inhibiting Milan’s ability to rebuild and progress. They have literally put the four-letter words into FFP.

Another summer and another long list of things Milan have to wait for before we can move forward - the CAS, UEFA, Maldini, and a new coach, amongst other things. So much frustration once again for a fan base that has had to wait year after year and then wait some more. And yet, amidst my frustration, I found a new perspective in my own life this week as I found myself sitting in the Intensive Care Unit of our hospital with my son. As the long and frightening hours passed and I watched him bravely fight, I decided to try a little experiment and reach out for support to a place that normally is filled with hate: Twitter. And to my surprise, I found an outpouring of love that was overwhelming and wholly unexpected. A Milan family that reached out from literally every corner of the world, and extended to other fan bases, too. An outpouring of love that was truly moving, especially in times like these.

After the heartbreak of finishing only one point shy of Champions League qualification hit like a punch to the stomach on the final matchday, Milan face even more big changes. With the resignation of our Sporting Director, Leonardo, and coach Gattuso rescinding his contract, and UEFA still delaying their FFP rulings yet again, it feels like just another poor Milan season. But we found plenty to talk about while rating the players and more to make this season not just another Year Zero.

While everyone anxiously awaits a decision from Paolo Maldini as to whether or not he will accept the offer to be Milan’s next Technical Director, there is a lot for us to think about, too. Just a few days ago, Abate, Gattuso, and Leonardo were all at Milan. Now, none of them are. Their careers and fates all intertwined in some very interesting ways, and now they all left together. They also represent an end of an era. Not only because of their history together, but because as they leave, Milan is making some big changes to modernize the club and become FFP compliant. Even more than those three leaving, all of these changes represent the end of an era.

Despite the toughest of criticism toward our now former coach, Rino Gattuso left Milan with dignity and a respect that most other coaches will never receive. Like his playing career, he chose to leave Milan on his own terms, for the good of the team. And he walked away from the money, too, leaving his salary that would have been owed him behind. Because for him, it was never about money or fame. It was always about Milan. And when he had given all that he had and it still wasn’t enough, he stepped down. For Milan.

As of this writing, the reports from most sources say that Leonardo will resign today, and that Gattuso will mutually rescind his contract. Two massive moves in a club that desperately needs consistency. Yet if they are both true, they are likely steps in the right direction. And while everyone is talking about what’s next, it’s important to look at why they are leaving, too.

Milan’s season was such a season of change after so many years of decline. Maldini came back, and at times, it seemed that his return alone would be enough. But it wasn’t. Despite his leadership, despite improving the squad, despite the passion of all of the players and the fans, we fell one point short of returning to the Champions League this season. One point. It just seems like no matter how hard we try to claw our way back, it is never enough.

Will the outcomes of all of the matches resurrect our Champions League dreams?