"In the culture of Italy, everyone is focused on the result, even the youth coaches want to win. So if they want to win, they also want to field players who are ready, but then the players with potential won't get any playing time. We have taken this out of Milan, changing the philosophy completely."
"First of all, we want to give our youngsters game time because when you are young, game time is so important. If you are not playing for the Futuro, you will play for the Primavera, 100%. So everyone gets game time. Then from there, you balance things between the Primavera and the Futuro."
"However, when you come into the first team, it's all based on results. Then we need results. We are trying to bring out the youth, which we want, but like I said at the beginning, we are haunted by the history of the club."
AC Milan has fundamentally shifted its academy approach under Zlatan Ibrahimovic's guidance, moving away from the traditional Italian focus on winning results. The new philosophy emphasizes providing young players with consistent playing time as the primary development tool. Milan Futuro, the club's reserve team competing in Serie D, currently sits fifth in the standings. Rather than pursuing direct promotion, the club prioritizes player development across both Futuro and Primavera levels, ensuring every prospect receives meaningful minutes. This contrasts sharply with the first team, where results remain paramount. The change addresses a systemic issue where youth coaches previously prioritized winning over developing potential talent, ultimately limiting opportunities for promising players.
Read at SempreMilan
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