AC Milan says goodbye to Cristian Brocchi, after appointment of Vincenzo Montella

AC Milan have reflected on a poor 2015/16 campaign by relieving coach Cristian Brocchi of his duties and replacing him with former Roma and Sampdoria striker Vincenzo Montella. 

Despite finishing seventh in Serie A and reaching the final of Coppa Italia, where they lost 0-1 to Juventus, the Rossoneri have decided to act after their side failed to qualify for a European competition for only the second time in 17 seasons.

A statement on the AC Milan website reads: “Vincenzo Montella is our new coach, he has signed a two-year contract which begins on July 1.
"It is the belief of the club that the style of play of the new Rossoneri Coach will be the basis of a fruitful and positive collaboration. 

"A heartfelt thanks to Cristian Brocchi for the enthusiasm, preparation and intensity with which he approached his career as Milan coach with the youth team, the Primavera and the first team." 

Montella is well known and respected throughout Italian footballer after a dazzling playing career and promising start to his managerial livelihood. He notched 191 goals in 383 career matches for the likes of Roma, Sampdoria and Genoa, and picked up a Serie A winners medal in 2000/01. The 42-year-old was also part of the Italy squad that finished runners up to France at Euro 2000.

 
His record as a manager is mixed; he was released from his role as Roma interim manager without much fanfare in 2011, before a decent spell in charge of Catania led to his subsequent appointment as Fiorentina boss. His win ratio in charge of the Viola was 52% - hugely respectable – as he led them to a back-to-back fourth place finishes in Serie A and a Europa League semi-final.

The famous red-and-blacks will be hoping that L'Aeroplanino, as Montella was known during his playing days, can steer them towards a top five finish in the league this term.