Ibrahimovic: ‘Many rows with Allegri, but Guardiola and Mourinho changed football’

Zlatan Ibrahimovic admits to ‘many rows’ with Max Allegri at AC Milan, but the coach is ‘a winner’ along with Fabio Capello, while Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho ‘changed football.’

The legend sat down at the Festival dello Sport event in Trento to answer questions in front of the audience, including about the reunion with Allegri after they won the Scudetto together in 2010-11.

He admits their relationship was not always smooth sailing, although the situation has changed now that he is a director.

“I had many rows with Allegri, not just the one,” confessed Ibrahimovic.

“There was one time after the Arsenal game in London that everyone remembers. When you have two people with a winning mentality, this is normal, not every day is love and hugs, there has to be another side to those situations. Different characters, different mentality, it might seem like ‘wow, what happened?’ when it hits the newspapers, but it’s natural for us. Especially for me.”

Now Allegri is back at Milan as coach after more than a decade away, while Ibrahimovic is a consultant to owners RedBird.

“The team is doing well, we brought in a winning coach this summer, who brought with him experience and balance. When you win, the team spirit is always at the top. Everyone is united to do the best possible.”