[Jack Sparrow]

(IMG:https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/galleries/x701/213568.jpg)

Rino Gattuso leaves the Primavera team in third in the league, with 19 points, only 3 three adrift of current leaders Inter. An important which was even more important having seen the great improvements of his boys, especially in the past few weeks. Solid in defence and clinical up front, these have been the main characteristics of Ringhio's teams since the start of his coaching career. He made his debut in Switzerland, coaching FC Sion. After brief experiences at Palermo and OFI Creta, Rino restarted in Lega Pro coaching Pisa. He achieved promotion to Serie B with the Tuscan side on his first attempt (2015/2016 season) after an exciting comeback in the playoffs and ending the season with a victory over Foggia. However, the team is relegated to Lega Pro the following season with the Club also having financial issues. Then: AC Milan’s Primavera team, his return to the Club that saw him winning everything as a player.

Gattuso made 468 appearances and scored 11 goals for the Rossoneri. Thirteen seasons full of trophies (10) and satisfactions: two Champions League cups, one Club World Cup, two UEFA Super Cups, two Serie A titles, two Italian Super Cups and one Coppa Italia. The 'big call' has now arrived and it's a big challenge: turn AC Milan’s season around, starting immediately against Benevento. It won’t be easy but now more than ever, #weareateam.

Tidbits from the press conference

- 3 Man Defence and 4 man midfield.
- Bonucci still Captain
- Experiment with Suso because he's convinced Suso is more than 'just a winger'

My favourite quotes are:

"I said to the team to not be offended if I say a few particular words and not to be touchy."

"If I received lots of messages? Yes and it touched me. Cappello, Sacchi, Terim, Cannavaro, Ancelotti etc etc have called me... Around 11, I saw a picture of me dressed as Genny of Gomorrah and I turned off my phone"

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I've asked on twitter if any one has a link to Rino's Coverciano thesis but nothing turned up.

[han2503]

The next 6 games (ie 20 days) IMHO will define Gattuso’s future on Milan’s bench. Serie A, EL and coppa matches will be a test, this noting the team is on a 5 match unbeaten run.

We have some seriously difficult fixtures in the league coming up. Add to that a tough return to Lazio in the Coppa and having to travel for the EL. It's very tough ask that's for sure

[Rossoneri7]

Well I'm not asking, just stating facts, Ringo is on a 6match unbeaten run now and the upcoming February fixtures will define his future with Milan.

I hope he does well, as you stated difficult games ahead.

[han2503]

Well I'm not asking, just stating facts, Ringo is on a 6match unbeaten run now and the upcoming February fixtures will define his future with Milan.

I hope he does well, as you stated difficult games ahead.

If we can managed to get through that set relatively unscathed I think we'll close out the season well.

There have been rumours that are saying that the management are considering giving Rino a lengthy contract. What do you guys think of this? I personally think it would be a mistake, no matter how well he manages to do this season. We need a proper, experienced coach at the helm. Carlo and Conte being the obvious choices to go after

[Jack Sparrow]

If we can managed to get through that set relatively unscathed I think we'll close out the season well.

There have been rumours that are saying that the management are considering giving Rino a lengthy contract. What do you guys think of this? I personally think it would be a mistake, no matter how well he manages to do this season. We need a proper, experienced coach at the helm. Carlo and Conte being the obvious choices to go after

It won't be a mistake. I don't think the other names are spectacular. I look at the names Conte has brought in and I cringe. They were literally rejected by other players, despite Chelsea offering the same money. Lukaku preferred Jose though they matched the bid. Danilo wanted Pep rather than Conte. Etc.

If Rino gets us into EL and then wins a cup, I wouldn't mind giving him one more season. He actually seems like he's undoing a lot of damage from the previous coaching regime and the players are responding.

The poor show we spoke of in the previous game was roughly 15-20 minutes in the second half. We've been having this for years now. I place that down to player quality.

[Rossoneri7]

Why the hesitation on Ringo han? He has to prove himself and so-far has done an outstanding job. I say outstanding cause I expected a lot of hiccups and maybe clashes with players. But no, today we have a united dressing room. A coach who is, as Jack beautifully put it, ‘undoing’ many bad years and instilling in this team the essence and core. What more could you ask for? Guardiola needed a full season to get one of the most equipped teams in Europe, City, into gear before blasting through this season.

Gattuso, if he does well will earn the right to stay on. Sure Carlo is the better pick, and who knows maybe in two three seasons down he’d be back. Or if Ringo fails, which we are not hoping for today (IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif)

[Jack Sparrow]

Why the hesitation on Ringo han? He has to prove himself and so-far has done an outstanding job. I say outstanding cause I expected a lot of hiccups and maybe clashes with players. But no, today we have a united dressing room. A coach who is, as Jack beautifully put it, ‘undoing’ many bad years and instilling in this team the essence and core. What more could you ask for? Guardiola needed a full season to get one of the most equipped teams in Europe, City, into gear before blasting through this season.

Gattuso, if he does well will earn the right to stay on. Sure Carlo is the better pick, and who knows maybe in two three seasons down he’d be back. Or if Ringo fails, which we are not hoping for today (IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif)

I don't know if Ringo will win us the CL. But if the top coaches are ones who need to come in and spend another 200 million for us to finish 4th, I'm not sure it's worth it.

If Conte leaves, imagine a team like the one he's leaving Chelsea?!! Easily what you'd consider Mid-Table players bar Hazard. Now news is Courtois wants to leave as well.

I love Carlo, my only worry is much like with Jose, football has passed him by. His methods no longer hold. I could be wrong, but it's too huge a gamble.

What this team needs is stability. We weren't wrong to extend Montella, he just tried too much experimentation which on top of a brand new set of players was a disaster. Rino seems far more down to basics and the team love him. So let's hold on till May and see how things develop.

Perhaps that decision will already be taken for us by then.

[Rossoneri7]

I agree.

All I was saying, Ringo has a tough schedule this Feb and is on a 5 match unbeaten run. The team is playing much better than it previously did. This month will be determental to Ringo’s future with us, if he does well he would increase his chances of staying on.

NB: FI is running this thing that Ringo’s salary is the lowest in Serie A. He is still on his primavera contract which oays 120K per season.

[Jack Sparrow]

I agree.

All I was saying, Ringo has a tough schedule this Feb and is on a 5 match unbeaten run. The team is playing much better than it previously did. This month will be determental to Ringo’s future with us, if he does well he would increase his chances of staying on.

NB: FI is running this thing that Ringo’s salary is the lowest in Serie A. He is still on his primavera contract which oays 120K per season.

Look, I love that man. I'm sure his salary has not even played into his mind. Whatever ill feeling I held in my heart towards him post the Joe Jordan incident, long since dissipated. There is nothing I'd like more than him to succeed and win a cup with us as coach. But yeah, you're right, the next two months decide how our season goes. If he can drag our players forward with him till the end and we somehow end up with a trophy, I'd actually say he's earned a contract till 2020.

But the board has to be smart. If a Carlo or Conte or Tuchel say they'll like to work with us within the parameters we have to operated (financial, tactical etc.) then who knows. I really hope Rino succeeds though.