Li Yonghong Discusses Losing AC Milan To Elliot Management And Encounters With Berlusconi and Commisso

Vito Angele of Sempre Milan hosted a great interview with former Milan President Li Yonghong. The interview covered a range of topics but I picked out a few key questions on how the club was lost to Elliot and the encounters with Commisso and Berlusconi. Have a read below:

Photo by Visual China Group via Getty Images/Visual China Group via Getty Images

Were you upset to have lost AC Milan? And how did it happen?

“Of course. AC Milan was more than just an investment for me. It was my passion. So yes, it was tough when AC Milan was taken from me. As you know it’s a long story but my business associate, David Han, spoke to Forbes about it a few months ago.

“I’m sure you know my views on Elliott Management. I don’t think that the firm saw or will ever see the club as I see it. Elliott has other motivations and its background speaks for itself.”

Gazidis and Elliott are running Milan with few results so far. Do you think it is right to let players like Ibrahimovic and Bonaventura leave? And what do you think about Elliott?

“I’ll just say this – Ibrahimović is an excellent player who still gets results. Clearly, Gazidis is employing another strategy but – with regard to its usefulness – only time will tell. Gazidis has a tough task to carry out. I don’t want to complicate it by saying what he is doing is right or wrong. Although, looking at the results, it is clear to me that something ought to change.”

Commisso, Fiorentina’s owner, has said that he called you, but you didn’t want to meet him. Would to like to respond to him?

“What Commisso offered was a joke and an insult to us, especially to such an important club as AC Milan regardless of whatever he said in the press. Maybe he was misled by his advisors who were potentially really arrogant and ignorant.

“We didn’t want to waste our time when we had more important things to do and better offers to negotiate. President Berlusconi was sad when he sold Milan, like me.”

What was your relationship with Berlusconi?

“He seemed very nice to us – really a remarkable figure. There is a reason why still he is respected by many Rossoneri.”