(ANSA) - Milan, November 29 - AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani
has been its most prominent fan as he stood beside owner Silvio
Berlusconi for the last 27 years, exploding into joy at five
European Cups and eight Serie A titles since the media magnate
and future politician took over in the mid-1980s.
But of late the heart-on-sleeve executive, one of the most
recognisable faces in Italian soccer and the three-time
premier's most trusty right-hand man, has looked increasingly
lugubrious.
His unhappiness peaked on Friday when he announced he was
going to step down from the helm of the Milan giants.
Galliani had watched with dismay as Milan struggled in Serie A, and became even more hang-dog when - until this week - it seemed like they might be heading for an early exit from the Champions League. His malaise became even more obvious when Berlusconi's daughter Barbara, now one of the most influential board members, made it plain he was the man to blame. The CEO finally snapped on Friday, saying he was throwing in the towel. The younger Berlusconi, known for her three-year relationship with the club's former Brazil ace and star striker Alexandre Pato, recently made the trouble at the top glaringly visible during Milan's 3-1 loss to Barcelona in a Champions League Group H clash at the Nou Camp. Barbara Berlusconi never once looked at Galliani, sitting right beside her, as Milan were sunk by two goals from the supreme Lionel Messi and one from Sergio Busquets. Barbara Berlusconi reportedly blamed Galliani's alleged transfer-market bungling, and failure to take the strong hand her father used to wield with coaches, for Milan's woes. The CEO did not reply publicly but his more than usually long face spoke louder than words. "It was a match within the match", Rome's La Repubblica daily said. "Verging on a theatrical piece, the fixed stare of Galliani and the equally stunned look on the scion's face showed their shared discomfort but how far they are separated in terms of strategy", it said. On Friday Galliani said he had had enough. Talking to ANSA, he said Barbara Berlusconi's sniping about his performance, and reported complaints to her father, had "gravely damaged my reputation. "With or without a deal on a severance package I will resign for just cause in a few days," he said. However, he said he might wait until Milan's Champions League showdown with Ajax at the San Siro on December 11, to see his beloved team safely through to the next round. Ajax, who became the first side to beat Group H leaders Barcelona this week, are a point behind Milan and must beat the seven-time European champions to progress. A draw is enough for Milan. "Perhaps I'll wait for the Ajax game," Galliani said, adding that his affection for Silvio Berlusoni "would never change". Milan's 3-0 win over Glasgow Celtic on Tuesday did more than put the Serie A giants within reach of qualifying for the knockout round of the Champions League. It also gave them a vital lift in a season that, so far, has brought little to cheer about. Goals by Kakà, Cristiàn Zapata and Mario Balotelli mean Milan only need a point in their last Group H match against Ajax to qualify for the round of 16. The win also gave coach Massimiliano Allegri respite from speculation he is about to get the sack, with his side 13th in Serie A with 14 points from 13 games, 20 behind leaders Juventus. The style of the win was probably as important as the result itself. Milan, who have been booed by their own fans several times of late, have been hit by lapses of concentration and periods of listlessness in their recent domestic displays. But in Glasgow they showed determination, speed and ideas. The man-of-the-match was Kakà, who returned to Milan in the closed season after four disappointing years. The 2007 world player of the year set Milan on their way with an early header and his surging runs and penetrating passes resembled the outstanding displays of his first stint at Milan, from 2003 to 2009, during which he helped them win a Serie A title and a Champions League crown. Italy forward Balotelli also regained a smile with his first goal for the club in almost two months. Balotelli has again been at the centre of a media storm after reported late shows for training and a mystery tweet proclaiming "this is the end" ignited speculation he could be on his way to another club. Sports pundits were quick to point out that Allegri's side still have many problems. But the players are hopeful Tuesday's clash will be a watershed. "It could be the turning point," Kaka told Uefa.com. "This success has given us confidence.
Now we have a difficult match against Catania (in Serie A at the weekend). "It's important for us to win again in the domestic championship too, to get out of this difficult situation. "We had to beat Celtic.
It was fundamentally important to interrupt a bad series of results. "Now qualification for the next round is in our hands". It was the last time Galliani flashed his familiar broad grin at the cameras - and as usual he turned his thoughts to his long-time employer and friend, who is going through the toughest time of his political career after being expelled from the Senate for tax fraud and facing possible arrest from allegedly biased prosecutors in other cases. "This was a victory we all wanted for our president," Galliani told reporters. "I phoned him a few minutes ago and, in the midst of everything they're doing to him, at least we gave him the gift of a happy evening".
Galliani had watched with dismay as Milan struggled in Serie A, and became even more hang-dog when - until this week - it seemed like they might be heading for an early exit from the Champions League. His malaise became even more obvious when Berlusconi's daughter Barbara, now one of the most influential board members, made it plain he was the man to blame. The CEO finally snapped on Friday, saying he was throwing in the towel. The younger Berlusconi, known for her three-year relationship with the club's former Brazil ace and star striker Alexandre Pato, recently made the trouble at the top glaringly visible during Milan's 3-1 loss to Barcelona in a Champions League Group H clash at the Nou Camp. Barbara Berlusconi never once looked at Galliani, sitting right beside her, as Milan were sunk by two goals from the supreme Lionel Messi and one from Sergio Busquets. Barbara Berlusconi reportedly blamed Galliani's alleged transfer-market bungling, and failure to take the strong hand her father used to wield with coaches, for Milan's woes. The CEO did not reply publicly but his more than usually long face spoke louder than words. "It was a match within the match", Rome's La Repubblica daily said. "Verging on a theatrical piece, the fixed stare of Galliani and the equally stunned look on the scion's face showed their shared discomfort but how far they are separated in terms of strategy", it said. On Friday Galliani said he had had enough. Talking to ANSA, he said Barbara Berlusconi's sniping about his performance, and reported complaints to her father, had "gravely damaged my reputation. "With or without a deal on a severance package I will resign for just cause in a few days," he said. However, he said he might wait until Milan's Champions League showdown with Ajax at the San Siro on December 11, to see his beloved team safely through to the next round. Ajax, who became the first side to beat Group H leaders Barcelona this week, are a point behind Milan and must beat the seven-time European champions to progress. A draw is enough for Milan. "Perhaps I'll wait for the Ajax game," Galliani said, adding that his affection for Silvio Berlusoni "would never change". Milan's 3-0 win over Glasgow Celtic on Tuesday did more than put the Serie A giants within reach of qualifying for the knockout round of the Champions League. It also gave them a vital lift in a season that, so far, has brought little to cheer about. Goals by Kakà, Cristiàn Zapata and Mario Balotelli mean Milan only need a point in their last Group H match against Ajax to qualify for the round of 16. The win also gave coach Massimiliano Allegri respite from speculation he is about to get the sack, with his side 13th in Serie A with 14 points from 13 games, 20 behind leaders Juventus. The style of the win was probably as important as the result itself. Milan, who have been booed by their own fans several times of late, have been hit by lapses of concentration and periods of listlessness in their recent domestic displays. But in Glasgow they showed determination, speed and ideas. The man-of-the-match was Kakà, who returned to Milan in the closed season after four disappointing years. The 2007 world player of the year set Milan on their way with an early header and his surging runs and penetrating passes resembled the outstanding displays of his first stint at Milan, from 2003 to 2009, during which he helped them win a Serie A title and a Champions League crown. Italy forward Balotelli also regained a smile with his first goal for the club in almost two months. Balotelli has again been at the centre of a media storm after reported late shows for training and a mystery tweet proclaiming "this is the end" ignited speculation he could be on his way to another club. Sports pundits were quick to point out that Allegri's side still have many problems. But the players are hopeful Tuesday's clash will be a watershed. "It could be the turning point," Kaka told Uefa.com. "This success has given us confidence.
Now we have a difficult match against Catania (in Serie A at the weekend). "It's important for us to win again in the domestic championship too, to get out of this difficult situation. "We had to beat Celtic.
It was fundamentally important to interrupt a bad series of results. "Now qualification for the next round is in our hands". It was the last time Galliani flashed his familiar broad grin at the cameras - and as usual he turned his thoughts to his long-time employer and friend, who is going through the toughest time of his political career after being expelled from the Senate for tax fraud and facing possible arrest from allegedly biased prosecutors in other cases. "This was a victory we all wanted for our president," Galliani told reporters. "I phoned him a few minutes ago and, in the midst of everything they're doing to him, at least we gave him the gift of a happy evening".
