Sky journalist confirms Milan are evaluating ‘excellent coach’ Gallardo

Sky journalist Manuele Baiocchini has explained that AC Milan are seriously evaluating Argentinian coach Marcelo Gallardo who they view as being ‘excellent’.

Speaking whilst on Sky Sport 24 (via Milan News), Baiocchini discussed the latest name to be credibly linked with the job of replacing Stefano Pioli at Milan.

Many names such as Paulo Fonseca, Sergio Conceicao, Mark van Bommel and Antonio Conte are being linked, but Gallardo represents a different option as he is currently outside of Europe.

The former River Plate coach is currently at Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, coaching the likes of Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante.

Baiocchini explains that Gallardo was proposed to Milan around a month ago and they appreciate the work he has done during his career. The major problem is his big contract in Saudi Arabia.

“Gallardo is a coach that Milan are evaluating. He was proposed, he was proposed a month ago, when Milan was already looking around for the choice of the next coach. He has been evaluated, he is considered an excellent coach but there is a big obstacle, his contract with Al Ittihad, a Saudi team which guarantees him €22 million net per season,” Baiocchini explained.

The good and bad news for Milan is that Gallardo is not actually doing well in Saudi Arabia. That may be negative in terms of his quality as a coach, but it means there is a chance he is sacked by Al Ittihad which would see his contract disappear.

That makes him a lot more affordable for Milan as they won’t have to pay Al Ittihad any compensation.

“What is the keystone? That Gallardo is not doing well in the Saudi League, he has lost the last three matches and therefore the Sheikhs are dissatisfied with his performance. There is talk of a possible dismissal, of termination of the contract, and Milan could fit into that context if they were interested in deepening the discussion to offer him a contract as the new Milan coach,” he said.