Guardiola's agent in Milan for talks
Source: AFP |
November 8, 2012, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
RUMORS of Pep Guardiola's interest in taking over at AC Milan gathered pace on Tuesday when the agent and brother of the former Barcelona supremo was seen with officials from the Serie A club.
Milan has endured its worst ever start to a league season, prompting rumors, which began over a month ago, that coach Massimiliano Allegri is set to be replaced.
Guardiola is currently on a sabbatical having coached Barcelona during one of its most successful spells in the club's history, however Italian media have persistently linked him to AC Milan.
On Tuesday, the website of Italy's biggest selling newspaper, sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport, said Guardiola's brother Pere and former Barcelona assistant coach Manuel Estiarte were seen with club CEO Adriano Galliani.
But Milan denied that any such meeting took place.
"AC Milan categorically denies reports of any kind of meeting between Adriano Galliani and those who may represent Mr. Guardiola," read a statement on acmilan.com.
However Gazzetta said on its web report: "But Gazzetta affirms that the meeting did take place", and Sky Sport broadcast pictures of what it said were two Spaniards leaving the Giannino restaurant in the company of the club's officials.
As competition debutant Malaga qualified for the knockout phase, Allegri was left hoping his team can finish the job in its closing games, against Anderlecht away and Zenit St. Petersburg at home.
It was later reported that Pere Guardiola had later attended the 1-1 draw at the San Siro, where club owner Silvio Berlusconi was also in attendance for the first time this season.
Asked after the match about the Guardiola report, Allegri told the Mediaset channel: "The presence of Guardiola's entourage in the stands doesn't bother me.
"I've heard a million names being bandied about, I'm a bit bored of this story, also because it's up to the club to deal with this situation.
"Our problems lie elsewhere: moving back up the table and making up ground in the Champions League. These are my objectives and as long as I'm in this post I have to do the best I can."
On Tuesday, Alexandre Pato celebrated his first Champions League start of the season by heading Milan's equalizer.
It was his first goal since an Italian Cup match against Novara in January. The 23-year-old has suffered an extraordinary 15 muscular injuries in the last two years.
Milan has endured its worst ever start to a league season, prompting rumors, which began over a month ago, that coach Massimiliano Allegri is set to be replaced.
Guardiola is currently on a sabbatical having coached Barcelona during one of its most successful spells in the club's history, however Italian media have persistently linked him to AC Milan.
On Tuesday, the website of Italy's biggest selling newspaper, sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport, said Guardiola's brother Pere and former Barcelona assistant coach Manuel Estiarte were seen with club CEO Adriano Galliani.
But Milan denied that any such meeting took place.
"AC Milan categorically denies reports of any kind of meeting between Adriano Galliani and those who may represent Mr. Guardiola," read a statement on acmilan.com.
However Gazzetta said on its web report: "But Gazzetta affirms that the meeting did take place", and Sky Sport broadcast pictures of what it said were two Spaniards leaving the Giannino restaurant in the company of the club's officials.
As competition debutant Malaga qualified for the knockout phase, Allegri was left hoping his team can finish the job in its closing games, against Anderlecht away and Zenit St. Petersburg at home.
It was later reported that Pere Guardiola had later attended the 1-1 draw at the San Siro, where club owner Silvio Berlusconi was also in attendance for the first time this season.
Asked after the match about the Guardiola report, Allegri told the Mediaset channel: "The presence of Guardiola's entourage in the stands doesn't bother me.
"I've heard a million names being bandied about, I'm a bit bored of this story, also because it's up to the club to deal with this situation.
"Our problems lie elsewhere: moving back up the table and making up ground in the Champions League. These are my objectives and as long as I'm in this post I have to do the best I can."
On Tuesday, Alexandre Pato celebrated his first Champions League start of the season by heading Milan's equalizer.
It was his first goal since an Italian Cup match against Novara in January. The 23-year-old has suffered an extraordinary 15 muscular injuries in the last two years.
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