AC Milan are preparing to say goodbye to the club’s ‘old guard’ this summer after Gennaro Gattuso and Filippo Inzaghi announced they will be joining Alessandro Nesta in exiting the Rossoneri at the end of the season after more than a decade at the club.
Former Italy defender Nesta revealed on Thursday he would be leaving the San Siro in the summer after admitting he could no longer keep up with the rigours of Italy’s top-flight on a regular basis, while refusing to accept a bit-part role. The 36-year-old appears certain to move to the MLS.
And Gattuso and Inzaghi will also be evaluating their options after both players revealed they would not be remaining at Milan for next season. The World Cup winning duo’s contracts are set to expire in the coming months and having featured infrequently this season, the club will allow them to leave.
“I leave because the time has come for me to give room to other players,” Gattuso told reporters. “I will explain everything at a press conference on Saturday. I do not know yet where I will go, I have not yet decided.”
Gattuso joined Milan in 1999 and became a mainstay of the Rossoneri midfield, helping the club to claim two Serie A titles, two UEFA Champions Leagues , and the 2003 Coppa Italia.
However, a combination of a serious eye injury and competition for places has restricted the 34-year-old to just six appearances this season. He previously stated he would retire if he could not be guaranteed a place next season, although he is considering his options.
According to football writer James Horncastle, Gattuso has said it would be a dream to finish his playing career at Scottish side Glasgow Rangers, where he spent the 1997/98 season, but “unfortunately it will be difficult” due to the club’s financial situation.
Inzaghi joined Milan from Juventus in 2001 and scored 125 goals in 296 appearacnes. However, he has made just eight appearances this season, and in a letter published on the Milan website, the 38-year-old hinted he could be set to retire.
“Today I would like to thank with affection and emotion President Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani,” Inzaghi said in an open letter. “I also want to give a thought to those who, from the youth sector to all the wonderful clubs that I’ve played for, helped me to become the man and the player that I am today.
“Thank you Milan, thank you football. Allow me to call you my own, the people of Via Turati, from Milanello to the offices to the phone operators to the warehouse workers, the physiotherapists, the doctors, the cooks, from the stadium to the changing room.
“All the people who saw me on Sunday with the short sleeves and shook with the hope that I would score.
“Ciao Carlo Ancelotti, I won a lot with you, ciao to my wonderful fans who followed me the world over with affection and passion. Ciao to my team mates from today and yesterday.”
New era
As well as the three Milan stalwarts, Marco van Bommel has revealed he will be leaving at the end of the season to return to Holland.
The former Holland international signed an initial six-month deal in January 2011, but extended his stay for another 12 months. He is now expected to rejoin former club PSV Eindhoven where he will see out his career.
Speaking at a news conference, van Bommel said: “I will go back to Holland and I will play for PSV.”
Milan have already put plans in motion to replace the ‘old guard’ and have completed a deal for Fiorentina and Italy midfielder Riccardo Montolivo on a free transfer.
“Next season Montolivo will arrive and he is a very talented player with great technique,” coach Massimiliano Allegri told Milan Channel. “In any case, Milan will remain competitive next year and we must continue the work we started last season. We need to begin again with great enthusiasm.”
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