Luka Modrić (foto: Official TW/IG/FB account)
Legendary coach Arrigo Sacchi slams AC Milan's plan to sign Luka Modrić, calling the move “bizarre” and urging the club to focus on younger talent for long-term success.
Arrigo Sacchi, the legendary coach who led AC Milan to glory in the late 1980s and early 1990s, has openly criticised his former club’s decision to sign Luka Modrić.
The 39-year-old Croatian midfielder is reportedly set to join Milan on a free transfer after leaving Real Madrid, with a salary of around €3.5 million per year. But Sacchi sees little logic in the move and shared his disapproval in a column for Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Modrić should not be a player who is considered an added value. I hope Max Allegri has approved this transfer,” Sacchi began, clearly stunned by Milan's direction.
He questioned the footballing sense behind the signing: “Did Milan do the right thing by focusing on Modrić? A player who will soon be 40 and hasn’t been a regular starter at his club in recent seasons?”
While acknowledging the financial logic—no transfer fee and a moderate salary—Sacchi believes Milan’s priorities should be elsewhere.
“This selection is bizarre, because the club should be focusing on young players. Especially Milan, who have an obligation to build a team and redeem themselves for the disappointments of recent years.”
He concluded with a warning: “At that age, Modrić can only play occasionally. If Milan want to move forward, they must invest in youth, not short-term solutions.”
Milan is expected to confirm the signing of Modrić soon, despite the growing criticism from within its own historical circle.