Van Basten rules himself out of Milan job

(GSM) – Former Netherlands coach Marco van Basten has ruled himself out of taking charge at Milan this summer following speculation that he is close to landing the job.

With intolerable pressure being mounted on current coach, Leonardo, the legendary Rossoneri striker has been tipped to make it to the post.

But the Dutchman has revealed that a long-standing injury would scupper any hopes he could be ready to take charge.

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

“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.”

But van Basten did admit he was open to the premise of a return to Milan.

“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,” he admitted.

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

He also insisted that he had not talked with anyone at Milan, while admitting in 12 months’ time he would be interested.

“I haven’t spoken with anyone, but I’ve heard this news, here in Italy and Holland,” he said.

“I have about it, but in this moment it wouldn’t be right to go forward with it. In a year’s time? Maybe. I must firstly solve my ankle problems, then, everything is possible.”

One other name mentioned as a successor to Leonardo is his assistant Mauro Tassotti, and Van Basten has backed him.

“I’m convinced that Mauro Tassotti will be a big coach, he is a very experienced man,” he said.

“At Milan he knows people, and the Milan culture. I think he’s able to manage a team like Milan.”

Tassoti himself has spoken about the news, but he was coy on the possibility.

“Milan bench? I don’t know,” he said. “I have trouble in answering this. Anyone who is a coach would coach Milan. Who wouldn’t like to coach Milan?

“I would like it too, but who wouldn’t?

“Leonardo is still Milan coach. Within a week he will probably say something, and maybe it would be possible to say something else about the situation.”