Sacchi recalls Milan ‘masterpiece’ under Berlusconi and reveals Ancelotti anecdote | OneFootball

Arrigo Sacchi has spoken about the successful era that he was able to establish at AC Milan with Silvio Berlusconi, also revealing an anecdote about Carlo Ancelotti.

Sacchi is someone who knows what it takes to win at Milan, a club where he became regarded as one of the greatest managers of all time despite arriving amid scepticism. He was the coach of Parma prior, before Berlusconi took a gamble on him.

The gamble paid off, as the Italian coach won the Serie A title in his debut season and then won consecutive European Cups in 1989 and 1990. He would go on to manage the Italian national team for five years, then return to Milan before coaching Atletico Madrid and finally Parma.

Sacchi spoke during an interview with Resto del Carlino about his past at Milan and how he – along with the others at the club at that time – were able to change football. His comments were relayed by Radio Rossonera.

“I did simple things, maybe that’s why I was ahead of the others. At Milan we created a masterpiece: I owe a lot to Berlusconi,” he said.

“I still remember the first time I met him: I was coaching Parma, we were in Serie B, after being promoted. We beat the Rossoneri twice in the Coppa Italia at San Siro. And twice Berlusconi came to me at the end of the match and said: ‘I’ll follow you’.

“The rest is history. The president indulged me in everything. To convince him to buy Ancelotti, I called him at half past two in the morning. He replied: ‘Your orders’.”