Vincenzo Montella becomes a victim of higher expectations at AC Milan since Chinese takeover

The club spent more than €200 million on new recruits ahead of the new season, but currently sit seventh in the Serie A standings

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Former AC Milan coach Vincenzo Montella has paid the price for his side’s poor start to the season. Photo: EPA

Published: 12:00pm, 28 Nov 2017Updated: 12:00pm, 28 Nov 2017

In the end, Vincenzo Montella became a victim of the heightened expectations at AC Milan.

When a club spends more than €200 million (HK$1.86 billion) on new players in the preseason, six wins in 14 matches and seventh place in the Serie A standings are simply not enough.

Unable to produce inspiring results with a completely revamped squad, Montella was fired as coach of AC Milan on Monday and replaced by Gennaro Gattuso.

“We all raised expectations a little too much in the summer but the fault lies only with the coach,” Montella said. “These players deserve much more and I’m sure that they’ll be able to emerge from this difficult period.”

Gennaro Gattuso has been handed the task of changing AC Milan’s fortunes. Photo: AP

Milan have won only two of their past nine matches and have as many losses – six – as wins. The Rossoneri have been beaten by Lazio, Roma, Inter, Juventus and Napoli – the top five teams in the standings.

“Coaching Milan was an honour, and working with this team was even better,” Montella wrote on Twitter. “I hope Rino can restore Milan to where they belong.”