btw, there's a rumor going around in italy (on tuttomercatoweb) that Leo will take the head coach job of Brazil after the world cup.

Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has responded to speculation about both Mario Balotelli and coach Leonardo, seemingly dismissing the arrival of the Inter youngster and revealing his desire for the Brazilian to continue on the Rossoneri bench next season.

"Balotelli? There is no competition for him between Inter and Milan, and frankly I don't know much about him," he told Sky TG24.

"I only said he has a nice face, especially when he wears the Rossoneri shirt."

Next, he commented on reports that coach Leonardo is considering stepping down at the end of the season.

"Yes, I hope [he stays]. There are also disagreements between the president and the coach, but it's not logical to reveal them," he suggested.

"In my dialogue with the coach I always tell my position and he responds with his, sometimes we get along and other times we don't.

"I suffer like all Milan fans when they don't win as we expect them to and I am the one investing the money."

Many pundits agree that Leonardo has done an admirable job with the Rossoneri, despite a limited transfer campaign last summer.

Meanwhile, Berlusconi lamented the injuries that the team suffered, as they recently missed an opportunity to leapfrog city-rivals Inter in the title race.

"The failure to overtake Inter? I'm sorry and sorry is the right word," he continued.

"I must say that Milan has been hit in several areas that now lack one of our pillars of play: [Alessandro] Nesta in defence, [David] Beckham in the middle, and [Alexandre] Pato forward.

"These are some of our most prestigious men and when they are removed the weight of this team is no longer the same."

Source: goal.com

I am the one investing the money

Leonardo Issues Milan With Five-Point Ultimatum

(IMG:http://www.isboorti.com/photo/339.jpg)
Milan coach Leonardo wants more decision making powers over several key aspects, including the transfer market, if he is to stay at the club.

Reports in Brazil have linked the coach with the national team job when Carlos Dunga leaves at the end of the World Cup and Silvio Berlusconi's recent complaints have only fuelled the speculation further.

However, Leonardo wants to stay, and he is expected to give the club the following five-point ultimatum, according to Il Corriere Dello Sport:

1: He wants to rejuvenate the squad. Out with the old, and in with the new. Young players who do not demand mega wage packets.

2: Leonardo wants more involvement on the transfer market. He was behind deals for Kaka, Thiago Silva and Alexandre Pato in the past, and he wants more decision-making powers. Last year he wanted Edin Dzeko and Luis Fabiano.

3: New rules on training. Leonardo has set morning sessions this season to ensure players do not have excessive mundane sessions. He plans to make things more severe next term.

4: He wants independence in his choices. He will no longer accept complaints from senior players like Gennaro Gattuso, Filippo Inzaghi, Clarence Seedorf, Gianluca Zambrotta or Mathieu Flamini. The players will need to accept the environment with more serenity.

5: Medical section. Milan's fair-share of injuries have worried the coach this season. He wants to adopt new measures in relation to the medical department at the club and he will intervene personally in certain circumstances.

goal.com

Corriere is a rome-based ragsheet and not really worth believing - even though there may be some basis in what was said.

Leo has been a very effective scout, yes. But really, don't people think they're going a bit overboard in the praise?

I also don't think making Leonardo god at Milanello is going to solve a lot of problems. Especially things like his inability to adapt to tactical situations during games - and that has cost us points.

If it were up to me, I'd thank him for his tactical shakeup of things and send him back to scouting. And hire a real coach for next year.