Costacurta: Leao is a showman, ‘never liked’ Mourinho’s teams

Alessandro Costacurta Commissioner of FIGC looks on before the International Friendly match between Italy U21 and Belgium U21 at Friuli Stadium on October 11, 2018 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Milan and Italy legend Alessandro Costacurta believes that Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola are the best coaches in football’s history but the ex-.defender is ‘not an admirer’ of Rafael Leao: ‘He’s a showman.’

Former Italian defender Costacurta shared his thoughts on Italian football, Serie A in his latest interview with Corriere dello Sport, including his verdict on the best coach of all time.

Costacurta: Ancelotti and Guardiola the best coaches ever

“Carlo [Ancelotti] and then Pep are the best,” Costacurta said.

“Johan Cruyff is right behind as he changed football. Arrigo Sacchi caused a real earthquake; he inspired the football Renaissance, not just in Italy. Arrigo is a key figure, like Leonardo Da Vinci.”

The former Milan defender still remained quite critical of José Mourinho, currently in charge of Portuguese side Benfica.

“Mou has never really captured me; I’ve never liked watching his teams,” said the ex-defender.

“We’re talking about a Treble winner, a top coach, but he has never improved the teams he’s coached.”

Costacurta is also not a fan of Milan star Rafael Leao.

Costacurta: Leao was considered a potential Ballon d’Or winner

“I’m not an admirer of Leao, I’ve never been, even when he was 19, and somebody considered him a prodigy, a future Ballon d’Or winner,” he said.

“I played with many Ballon d’Or winners; they all put their talent at the team’s disposal. Leao is enigmatic. I’ve never understood whether what he does is just for its own sake. He’s a showman.

“That’s the point, in football, beauty must be efficient too, that’s what makes it interesting. Leao is no longer a kid. He’ll be 27 in June, not 20.”

Costacurta spent his entire playing career at Milan, except for the 1986-87 campaign, during which he played on loan at Monza.

A seven-time Serie A winner and five-time Champions League winner, Costacurta collected 59 international appearances and was part of the Italy squad that reached the 1994 World Cup Final, lost against Brazil on penalties.