Managerial Merry-Go-Round in Milan

By: Martha | December 11th, 2007

Aw. La Gazzetta reported this morning that Inter kingpin Massimo Moratti spent some time in London last month and, while there, found time for a private meeting with one Jose Mourinho. (And this is where I sternly tell myself not to get excited.) Though the paper bends over backward to come up with reasons for the meeting that have nothing to do with a desire to hire him (my personal favorite is “the natural predisposition of the largest shareholder nerazzurro to interweave human cordial relations with the people who count in football”), that possibility is obviously a whole lot more likely than going all that way for a speed date.

Inter, needless to say, have leapt to deny the story, going so far as to issue a statement on their official website, saying “The news is false and is considered a serious disturbance to the club.” Wow, “serious disturbance?” Talk about protesting too much. If Inter weren’t in first (for the moment), the tone of that statement might make me way more suspicious than the article did, but I suppose even Moratti would have a hard time dumping Roberto Mancini if his team keeps winning. We’ll see how the second half goes, though — maybe the next denial won’t be quite so vociferous.

On the other side of town, meanwhile, Mourinho’s (latest) removal of himself from consideration for the England job has only ramped up the rumors that he’s set to replace Carlo Ancelotti at the end of the season. Some reports even say that the Special One has already signed a “pre-contract” (Is there even such a thing? I mean, in legal terms?), and is now just waiting for summer before donning the red and black.

I wonder how Ancelotti feels about this. The press are very sure that he’s going to either replace Roberto Donadoni if the Azzurri crumble at the Euros or, if they don’t, head to Barcelona to replace Frank Rijkaard, but I can’t imagine things are quite that clear in reality. I mean, is it possible Ancelotti wants to stay? (Or if he does, that Galliani and Co. would let him?) Or that Rijkaard does? Or that Ancelotti has no interest in going to Spain? Or, for that matter, that Mourinho hates Milan and would much rather go to Spain?

Some Related Serie A Posts:

Category: AC Milan, Azzurri, Inter, Rumors & News, Serie A

« Monday Odds n Ends as We Learn Ranieri Didn’t Want Tiago Anyway | Home | Champions League: Lazio Getting Fired Up »

Nolan

Well, if Rijkaard doesn't win any silverware this season, "four fantasticos" or not, will be gone (most likely with Ronaldinho) and both Mourinho and Ancelotti are probably options (the former especially, although Milan and Barca have enough common history that I could almost see the latter be a possibility)

The problem is the Cruyff factor...Johan still has considerable influence over the Barca board and isn't a fan of Italians or Mourinho...as much as Cruyff is the closest thing to a God that I have, if he pulls for Van Basten I will be extremely worried.
Gianfranco

Martha if you and I take the time to put some terms on paper and sign the damn thing I would hope it is binding, do I think that is what Inter has done, probably not, but something a bit less formal is possible, I am with Julie this is all coming from Barca
Martha

Is it binding, Gianfranco?

That's been in the papers a bit, too, Julie, but those cursed "from someone who knows" stories are so difficult to believe! (Though Barca are a bit of a dark horse -- they were mentioned the moment he left Chelsea, but have definitely faded lately. I suppose that's at the end of the season, too? In theory, I mean?)
Julie

There's a TV programme on Sky in England every Sunday morning with noted sports journalists, and this week's major topic was our pal Mourinho. One journalist who has Mourinho's ear was there to break his exclusive story (before the announcements yesterday that JM was to take himself out of the running for the England gig). He said that Jose was all set to take the England job, but on Friday night, he received a fax from a "major European club" offering him a position. Attached was the "pre-contract". This offer lead Jose to do some soul-searching in which he decided on Saturday that the club offer was what he wanted, and bye-bye England. The journalist was being very provocative by saying his sources in Italy say the offer was from AC Milan. Watching his body language made me think that he was telling a deliberate lie and my guess is that the offer is actually from Barcelona. If Jose wasn't so dang handsome, I wouldn't give a fig !!!
Gianfranco

The only way Carlo goes is if the Real gig opens, or the Azzuri I just do not see him get let go or leaving for anything short of that.
Gianfranco

Believe or not I spent most of my normal reviewing and negotiated contracts, and yes there is such a thing as a pre-contract. It legal circles it is more often referred to as a Memo of Understanding or MOU, this is a document that is put in place either before or in lieu of contract so that two parties know that "terms" are on the table.