Bonera believes Milan Futuro were not ready for first season: “Some thought it was easier”
Oliver Fisher
Daniele Bonera has revisited his time as the head coach of Milan Futuro, revealing his belief that the team wasn’t ready to compete.
The Futuro project was launched ahead of the 2024-25 season to give Milan a ‘second team’ to allow their young talents to develop at a level above that of the Primavera league. They started in Serie C but were relegated in their first season.
The decision was taken to sack Bonera as the head coach given the on-field issues, even though they were competing against experienced sides with a very young side. Massimo Oddo followed him, before the club chose to go with Sergio Navarro this summer, who has the Futuro in third.
‘Expectations that were too high’
Bonera was interviewed by Fanpage and he reflected on that period with the B-team and what he learned from it even despite the rough results, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
“Milan Futuro was a great opportunity for growth. Perhaps we weren’t clear – and I’m part of this – about the level of Serie C. I had an idea of it, but some thought it was easier,” he said.
“The squad had been built with expectations that were too high compared to what the league is. I don’t think that structure, at that time, was ready to tackle that type of league. On an individual level, however, I felt very comfortable. Starting at home was a positive thing.
“The biggest challenge was understanding which players you actually had available. Some were promoted to the first team, others were dropped, and still others were sent to the Primavera. We had guys who perhaps weren’t playing with us and then came back up.
“From an individual growth perspective, we worked very well in some situations. After a couple of years, we saw the individual value of guys like Camarda, Bartesaghi, Liberali, and Jimenez grow. The value of the players wasn’t in question.
“I think the problem was primarily structural: it’s not always the coach who’s the problem, but the way you do things and the direction you want to take.”
