Clarence Seedorf To Coach AC Milan

Clarence Seedorf (37), the former AC Milan and Dutch international, who was untill today a player of Brazilian club FC Botafogo, announced his retirement from playing football, in order to take up the appointment of coaching his former club - AC Milan.

The coach of the club Massimiliano Allegri, was sacked Monday as a result of poor performances of the team, since the league began. The team is currently placed 11th on the Serie A table. The last straw that made the management to sack him, was lossing 4 - 3 on Sunday to Sassuolo, a team that is much lower than Milan.

Seedorf said, in a press conference on Tuesday at the Botafogo's headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, ''Considering my relationship with the (Milan) president (Silvio Berlusconi), when he called me yesterday, I couldn't say no after 10 years spent there at (Milan).''

''I am retiring from football after 22 years. It has been a difficult night, but I am satisfied by what I've achieved in my career, and what I've done at Botafogo.

''My aim is to dream again. I wish Botafogo and my team-mates the best. The level has increased, thanks to everyone and I am certain that the club will be able to remain at a high level.''

''This experience in the last year and half, has made me grow a lot and will help me in my next step, which will be as Milan coach.''

Although Seedorf said in the conference that he is to take charge of the Milan giant, the club is yet to make an official announcement to that effect.
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The appointment of the Dutch inspirational midfielder, to take charge of AC Milan, is not the first time the club has appointed an inexperience coach, says the former player and coach of the club, who is currently the coach of Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti.

''It's not the first time that Milan would make a choice like this one,'' Carlo Ancelotti said.

''It happened with Arrigo Sacchi and with Fabio Capello and in both occassions, things went very well.

''I know Clarence very well as he was one of my players and has always shown great personality.

''I believe that he has the knowledge and the capacity to do anything he wants in football.''

''He would face a new experience in a club he knows very well and this is important. I wish Milan and Seedorf the best of luck.''

Clarence Seedorf who had an amazing career as a player representated Netherlands 87 times. He is the only player to have won the Champoins League 4 times with 3 different clubs. He won it for the first time with Ajax in 1995, Real Madrid in 1998, AC Milan in 2003 and 2007.