Marco van Basten rules out Milan hot seat

Marco van Basten has ruled out any possibility of him becoming the next AC Milan manager as speculation mounts over current boss Leonardo stepping down at the end of the Serie A season.

Brazilian Leonardo has added fuel to the fire of him leaving his post at The Rossoneri after describing his relationship with owner Silvio Berlusconi as “difficult”.

Van Basten has been out of the game since tending his resignation at Dutch giants Ajax last May after their failure to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

The 45 year old is one of the game’s all time great players despite a relatively short playing career. The Dutchman spent six years at Milan where he won two European cups and scored 125 goals in 198 appearances for the Milan giants.

Despite his fondness for the club he believes he is not ready as yet for such a big job due to a problem with his ankle.

The former Holland coach said:

“I’m not ready to become Milan coach, because I have an ankle problem.”

“To be a coach, in my opinion you must be free, especially on your mind, and now I have a problem to solve in my ankle.”

“Before solving this I can’t do that job.”

Van Basten who also coached the Dutch national team and won a hat trick of “European Football of the Year” titles, equalling the record set by his compatriot Johan Cruyff and Frenchman Michel Platini in 1992, has not ruled out the possibility of coaching at the San Siro in the foreseeable future.

“Me at Milan? I’ve read it too and it surely would be a good idea, I’m really close with Milan, with the management and supporters.”

“But in this moment I have too many problems with the ankle, and it wouldn’t be right limping on the training ground.”

Milan assistant coach Mauro Tassotti is now being touted as the favourite to take the Milan hot seat. Tassotti stated last month that he hoped Leonardo would remain at The Devils.

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