Gennaro Gattuso silencing doubters and securing Milan future?

As Milan continue to now lead the race for fourth spot in Serie A, their recent form has us believing that a return to the Champions League is a genuine possibility for next season.

After countless failures in recent campaigns, the Rossoneri seemingly have the quality and belief in place now to end our wait to reclaim a place at Europe’s top table.

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It won’t be easy and there are still 13 Finals ahead, but ultimately Gennaro Gattuso and the players are beginning to convince that they’ve overcome a dire December to put themselves firmly in the mix.

Defeat to Fiorentina coupled with draws against Torino, Bologna and Frosinone along with our Europa League exit at the end of last year left Gattuso on the brink. Admittedly, there was even a personal belief that perhaps he had reached the end of the road, with Milan not only frustrating in terms of results but also with their disastrous performances.

However, they’ve been a different side since the turn of the year, advancing to the Coppa Italia semi-finals while now sitting in fourth place, just a point adrift of Inter in third, albeit they have a game in hand.

Further, we’ve now won seven of our last 10 games, conceding just four goals in our last 11 outings and have scored three goals in three consecutive games for the first time in years.

Things can quickly change in football, as we’ve seen over the past two months at San Siro, and so there’s no need to discuss contract renewals or long-term futures yet, as ultimately the focus has to be on now finishing the job and securing a Champions League return.

Nevertheless, with Milan playing good football, signing the right players who fit into the squad and improve the quality level and with Gattuso seemingly making the right decisions, there is a real sense of belief as individuals at all levels at the club are working in tandem and pulling in the same direction.

The 41-year-old undoubtedly still has his flaws, and at times question marks can still be raised over his management.

On the whole though, he should be commended for the job that he’s done over the past two months as it seemed as though there was no way back for him in December with the shadows of Arsene Wenger and Antonio Conte looming over him.

Now though, he has to complete the job and deliver what the hierarchy and what we all demand while also continuing to mature and develop as a coach alongside his young squad.