of Berlusconi's businesses -- but as Maldini says, at least "they could count on great players." Inzaghi can't

Again, this has surprised casual observers. In half a season, Seedorf took 35 points. Project that over an entire campaign and Milan would have arrived at a total of 70, enough for fourth place, which is probably about right considering the teams above them are willing and able to spend more money. Seedorf's own opinion was that it was a "dignified" return in difficult circumstances, but his future always rested on more than just results. Relationships with people within the club counted too; the sense is that they quickly deteriorated.

For instance, Il Corriere della Sera alleged that Seedorf had cut Galliani out of the picture and gone straight to Berlusconi, disrespecting the hierarchy. The Dutchman also criticised his predecessor, Allegri, who still had allies within the club -- not least his former assistant Mauro Tassotti, whose role was gradually marginalised. A capo ultra of the Curva Sud also claimed Seedorf had told him soon after taking the job that he considered two-thirds of the squad inadequate, a statement he denied but one that still made him few friends in the dressing room.

Seedorf's training methods were questioned, as were his selection decisions. Players often found themselves out of position. Right-back Ignazio Abate was used as a right winger in the 3-1 defeat to Napoli. He then lost his place in the starting XI to Daniele Bonera, a centre-back playing as a right-back. It was the cause of great anxiety for Abate, an Italy international, especially with the World Cup on the horizon. A lack of playing time put his place in jeopardy.

Riccardo Montolivo's nose was also put out of joint. In the week leading up to the Catania game, he had surprisingly been made to train with the reserves only to then be named in the starting lineup, perhaps after someone upstairs leaned on Seedorf and said he couldn't treat Milan's captain like that. After scoring the winner, Montolivo tellingly didn't celebrate.

Then during the 2-1 defeat to Atalanta a fortnight ago, one that all but scuppered Milan's chances of qualifying for the Europa League, Galliani was caught on camera in the stands saying to his son that Seedorf's "crazy" to play an unfit Keisuke Honda instead of Adel Taarabt.

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Filippo Inzaghi has been tipped to become the new AC Milan manager. But can he succeed where so many have failed?

Had Seedorf's principal sponsors Silvio and Barbara Berlusconi backed him, maybe things would have been different. Instead, their silence was deafening, until Silvio broke it to say that the residents at the nursing home at which he was doing community service following his conviction for tax fraud could manage the Milan dressing room; the implication being that it wasn't as hard as Seedorf made it look.

This deterioration in and distinct Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly III lack of empathy spelt the end for him, even if Berlusconi did open the Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly III FG door to the possibility of him staying providing "an agreement could be found on the type of relationship between him and the club." Many people's reaction to that was Berlusconi had realised how much it would cost to sack Seedorf (10 million euros gross), a huge figure for a club counting its pennies.

But it was clear that Milan were seriously considering several other options from Vincenzo Montella and Luciano Spalletti (too expensive to release from existing deals or gardening leave) to Cesare Prandelli (committed to Italy) and the return of Carlo Ancelotti (only in the event he was sacked after defeat in the Champions League final) to Unai Emery and Jorge Jesus. Instead another candidate looks to have been agreed upon: the promotion of Pippo Inzaghi from the senior youth team.

This has been described in some quarters as Galliani getting his revenge. It's no secret he has been grooming the former striker for the top job for a couple of years and that he had him in mind to replace Allegri. Denied permission to talk to Sassuolo in the spring, it's clear there has been a plan for Inzaghi who, after leading Milan's kids to their first Viareggio Trophy in a decade, had been asking what more he could achieve at youth level. He also represents a low-cost option, which suits Milan while they negotiate Seedorf's enforced step-down.

There will be a lot of enthusiasm around Inzaghi, a firm fans' favourite. But some fear Milan are making the same mistake all over again. Granted, Inzaghi is more experienced than Seedorf. He has coached for two years, but never at this level. Some will counter that Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello hadn't either -- one had worked in Serie B, the other as a caretaker then in one of Berlusconi's businesses -- but as Maldini says, at least "they could count on great players." Inzaghi can't.

Instead, Inzaghi inherits a team that finished eighth and outside of Europe for the first time since 1998. Without commitments on the continent Milan famously won the Scudetto the following year -- an improbable omen of things to come. Unlike now, back then the club had a world-class foundation on which to build and were willing (and able) to spend.

Inzaghi is unlikely to get vast sums to invest. A big sale might even be in Milan's plans to offset the shortfall in revenue from their absence from the Champions League. The wage ceiling is also apparently due to be lowered to no more than 2.5 million euros per player. And Inzaghi will presumably be asked to bring through some of the players he developed in the academy.

The task ahead of him is a daunting one. It begs the question: Wouldn't Milan have been better off entrusting it to a more mature coach like Roberto Donadoni? Adidas F50 Adizero Messi I'd say so, yes, but instead, they risk burning another icon. Imagine if results aren't up to expectation -- which Milan need to manage from the top down. They could descend into turmoil again and miss out on Europe for another season. Can they afford that? Absolutely not.

One thing's for sure. Super Pippo will Nike Mercurial Vapor IX FG have to be every bit as sharp in the technical area as he was in the penalty area if this is to be a success.