Sacchi: Ex-Milan and Italy coach wants surprise to return to coaching at 78: ‘I have one flaw’

Former Milan and Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi has revealed a surprise ambition to return to coaching at the age of 78, over 20 years after his last managerial appointment. 

Sacchi led Milan to two European Cup wins in 1988-89 and 1989-90 and the Italy national team to the final of the 1994 World Cup, but has not taken charge of a professional team since he was in charge of Parma in 2001. 

He also had a spell as director of football for Real Madrid in 2004-05 and later went on to serve as the technical co-ordinator of the Italy national youth teams between 2010 and 2014. 

Sacchi is a regular columnist with La Gazzetta dello Sport and has provided punditry and analysis for a number of different outlets and networks in recent years. 

Sacchi reveales surprise desire to return to coaching at 78

Speaking to Adnkronos, Sacchi has revealed that he is ‘thinking about’ a surprise return to the dugout, 24 years after he took charge of Parma. 

The 78-year-old claims that he has had conversations with teams in multiple different countries in Europe and South America. 

“I am thinking about returning to coaching, either in Italy or abroad,” Sacchi told Adnkronos. “I have a few (options), but I don’t know whether I will be able to in Italy.” 

He went on to explain why coaching in Italy might be tricky for him: “Because I love this country too much. I have one flaw: I say what I think and sometimes I have to say what I think about us as well. And I’m sorry to say it sometimes. 

“So, I try to avoid it first. They’ve also asked for me, for example in Brazil, Argentina, Spain and many others.”