Fabio Capello has credited AC Milan's decision to snub Ralf Rangnick as the turning point for the Italian club.
Rangnick spent eight months as interim manager at Manchester United and his time at Old Trafford was disastrous. United equalled their longest trophy drought for 40 years this season while also recording their lowest ever Premier League points total.
Rangnick was originally set to take up a consultancy role at United after his spell on the touchline, but the German's move upstairs was cancelled. Rangnick is now in charge of Austria's national team following his departure from United.
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However, well before United appointed Rangnick in November, the 63-year-old was prepared to become AC Milan manager. AC Milan were set to give Rangnick total control of the club in 2020 before Stefano Pioli arrested their decline in Serie A.
Piolo was appointed on a permanent basis that summer and Rangnick was snubbed. AC Milan ended their 11-year wait for the Scudetto this season and former England boss Capello believes turning down Rangnick was the turning point.
“Thanks to Maldini and Massara, very good at getting the players’ purchases right," Capello told Tuttosport.
"Paolo has a talent out of the ordinary and is a very intelligent guy. He started a different job but has already shown that he is a champion. He understood who to work with and how to enter this new world.
"Furthermore, the Maldini surname combined with his charisma has a certain effect on everyone. It must be said that the great strength of this Milan stems from the opposition to Rangnick. Elliott had decided to bet on the German, they opposed this.
"The club had tried to bring someone to Milan without asking the right person what he thought of it."
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