Gattuso: Allegri wanted me out

Posted Wednesday, July 18, 2012 by ESPN

Gennaro Gattuso has no regrets about leaving AC Milan and claims both he and Alessandro Nesta left as they were no longer wanted by coach Massimiliano Allegri.

The 34-year-old left the Rossoneri earlier this summer to join Swiss side Sion after making more than 330 league appearances for the Italian giants.

Long-serving centre half Nesta followed Gattuso out of the Milan exit door, joining MLS outfit Montreal Impact after 12 years at the club.

Gattuso says those at the top wanted him to stay, but claims Allegri was keen to move the former Italian international upstairs.

He told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "If Alessandro Nesta and I made this choice, then it's because we felt that Massimiliano Allegri no longer wanted us. But without any controversy. I have a good relationship with Allegri, but I still feel like a player.

"When someone like the coach makes you understand that he rather prefers you as a director, or that he wants you to be someone who helps out the others in the changing room, you know what then? I will leave. I'll shake your hand without feeling any resentment and without holding a grudge.

"I have an exceptional relationship with Adriano Galliani. The Milan board wanted to keep me, but when the coach doesn't agree with that, then it becomes difficult.

"No, I don't regret leaving Milan. I had many other offers, also from Italian clubs, but I refused them because I really didn't feel like joining them."