Nesta wants to coach at Milan

Alessandro Nesta has revealed he is open to the idea of returning to AC Milan as coach after announcing his decision to retire from the game.

The Montreal Impact defender hung up his boots after his side's final game of the season on Saturday - a 1-0 defeat to Toronto FC - and then stated his desire to renew his love affair with the club he spent 10 years with as a player.

Nesta told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I'll try to become a coach. First, though, I have to prepare. I did two courses, I need to do the third which lasts one year. My family will remain in Miami, because I would not detach myself from the United States.

"Then we'll see what happens. I would like to coach at a high level. But I may have to start from the youth sector. Who knows, maybe at Milan, but I don't rule to remain in the United States. Why a coach? Because I did football as a child and it would be difficult to break away from this world. It's the closest thing to playing."

The 37-year-old played for the San Siro club between 2002 and 2012 having spent the previous nine years with Lazio and went on to carve out a reputation as one of the finest defenders in the modern era.

He lifted the 2006 World Cup with Italy and could well be a candidate to replace Massimiliano Allegri at Milan as pressure continues to build on the Italian coach following a dismal start to the Serie A campaign.

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New youth or defence coach? We need to keep this kind of talent at the club. Nesta is class.

There will always be room for club legends , even though what they have done to Maldini is inexcusable and it's something that really irritates me as we speak. Having said this , i don't know when but at some point , Maldini will again have a more important role to play in the team , than just a member of the Milan glorie . Should have absolutely happened by now , though.

As for Nesta , i am glad he wants to become a coach and he wants to return here. Agreed , i hope they don't ostracize him too . A youth sector may be a good start as many great coaches begun in the same way , but he will obviously need to coach elsewhere as well. I hope he becomes a really great manager because he was always very intelligent and i suppose he has a lot to offer in the game just by experience.

Though coaching isn't defined by any previous career , it certainly helps when you have a stature like Nesta has in the football world. If he is good and progressive , it would be a pleasure to have him as a coach one day.

Best of luck to Nesta and may all roads lead to Milan