Milan pull out of Zaccheroni talks

Contract talks between AC Milan and manager Alberto Zaccheroni have been postponed increasing speculation that club owner Silvio Berlusconi is trying to get rid of the coach.

Berlusconi missed the club’s Christmas party and is said to be upset by Milan’s home defeat to Perugia, which left them ten points behind Serie A leaders Roma.

Zaccheroni was due to meet with Milan officials on January 6 to discus a new deal - but the meeting has now been put back to an unknown date.

Berlusconi is understood to have prevented executive vice-president Adriano Galliani from offering Zaccheroni improved terms.

The owner of the club is said to disagree with his coach’s team-selections and transfer policy and Italy’s former right wing prime minister is also at odds with Zaccheroni politically.

Zaccheroni remains popular with the Milan fans, however, so Berlusconi is unlikely to go public with his views.

The future looks rosy at the San Siro with the signing of Atalanta’s talented youngsters Donati and Zenoni for next season, while a deal to bring Portuguese star Rui Costa to Milan is understood to be close to completion.

But Berlusconi is keen to bring in a new coach and has already spoken to Turkish boss Fatih Terim, whose attacking football at Fiorentina and Galatasaray is said to have impressed the Milan supremo. Berlusconi’s ideal would be to team together former San Siro boss Arrigo Sacchi and Carlo Ancelotti but the Juventus coach is back in favour with the Turin giants who would fight any moves from Milan.

Zaccheroni, meanwhile, has been linked with the coaching jobs at Internazionale, Barcelona and Lazio.