Soccer: Gattuso 'might leave'
'Either extend contract or go,' says Galliani
04 December, 17:41
(ANSA) - Milan, December 4 - Unsettled AC Milan
and Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso might decide to leave Milan
in the January transfer window, club CEO Adriano Galliani said
Friday."He has two ways forward: either he extends his contract with Milan or he goes," Galliani said.
World Cup winner Gattuso, 32, is unhappy with the playing time he has been getting in Milan coach Leonardo's all-out attacking format and last week said: "I'm Rino Gattuso and I shouldn't have to wait for someone to get injured to play".
Although currently nursing a knee injury himself, he made it plain he expects to be in the starting line-up when he recovers.
''I can't accept the thought of not being indispensable any more,'' said the midfield spoiler nicknamed 'Ringhio' (Growl), who has played 282 times for Milan since 1999.
Galliani retorted Friday: "Milan isn't a hotel where everyone does what they please, pays the bill and checks out".
Recent reports of two links are not true, however, Galliani added. The player told him Thursday that a rumoured move to Manchester City "absolutely does not exist".
Galliani also said former Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti, now at Chelsea, had told him the London club "wasn't interested".
"(Gattuso) should focus on recovering and making himself available, all the rest will follow".
Gattuso's contract with Milan expires in 2011, Galliani noted.
After Galliani's no-nonsense statement, Leonardo was more accommodating.
"From a selfish point of view I'd like him to stay," said the Brazilian rookie coach.
"We'll tackle the problem when he gets better, at the moment the thinking is that the relationship will continue".
"He's a bit better, let's hope he returns (to the squad) as soon as possible. He never shows any sign of training less hard, but it's tough to nurse an injury".
The coach ended his press conference about Sunday's game with Sampdoria by telling a journalist: "Let's let that be the last question about Gattuso, otherwise we'll never hear the end of it". In his public statement last week, the Italy and Milan talisman said: ''I still feel strong and I'm unhappy I can't show it".
"It's not nice to have to play every so often after 11 years here''.
''This is my home, and I won't forget that. But when I'm not happy I say so''.
Even when he is fit again Gattuso will have to vie with captain Massimo Ambrosini and Matthieu Flamini as the holding midfielder.
With Clarence Seedorf roving close behind Marco Borriello and Pato, the only other midfielder is deep-lying playmaker Andrea Pirlo. Gattuso is said to be specially keen to reclaim a Milan starting spot so that he can cement a place in Marcello Lippi's World Cup squad.
But pundits think Lippi would include him even if he wasn't getting regular club play.
