To train Ibrahimovic? Sometimes it was difficult to get along with him, but I will miss it, admits AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli

Zlatan Ibrahimovic said goodbye not only to the Rossoneri but also to his football career after AC Milan’s match against Hellas Verona on Sunday. AC coach Stefano Pioli also commented on the player, admitting that he will miss coaching such a figure.

The end of a great era – perhaps this is a safe way to describe the end of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s career. He confirmed this in his roughly two-minute speech, when he said goodbye not only to the Rossoneri but also to his football career.

It should be noted, AC Milan prepared a beautiful, above all emotional farewell for Ibrahimovic after the final whistle. The farewell to Zlatan lasted about 16 minutes and AC Milan posted it on their YouTube channel.

The Rossoneri even rolled out the red carpet for the Swedish canon, where he received a standing ovation from the entire stadium. These moments abounded in a very special way indeed, understandably bringing many fans to tears.

And not only those, the farewell to Zlatan also moved some of his teammates, and Ibrahimovic himself obviously and understandably felt great emotions.

Anyway, AC coach Stefano Pioli spoke about the Swedish goal killer after the match and the farewell.

In addition to his assessment of the match, Rafael Leão’s performance and his contract extension, he also gave Ibrahimovic a few words of praise, appreciation and respect in his post-match interview.

Zlatan is a winner, a champion and a fighter

“He is a great footballer, a very intelligent person. He is a champion, I am very sad because I will no longer be able to coach him. Zlatan is a winner, a fighter and it’s not easy for him,” Pioli said at the post-match press conference.

“The conversations between us were constant and not always easy, but I knew I was dealing with a high-level person who always says what he feels and what he has to say and who speaks for the good of the team. Sometimes I spoke little and listened a lot, but Zlatan is a big personality,” admits the AC Milan coach.

“We were all touched. He hasn’t fully announced his plans to us yet, he is a great champion and he has proved it at every stage of his career. Zlatan is so good that he always made sure they were ready to play as a team, even when he wasn’t there (on the pitch). You have to give him a lot of credit. They’re not the guys he found in 2020 anymore, (even so) it won’t be easy to start again without him,” he added.

Sources: Milan TV, Football Italia