sport

Gattuso could call it a day

Gennaro Gattuso has hinted he will retire from football if he is not part of AC Milan's first-team plans for next season.

Gattuso is out of contract this summer and is hoping to sit down with vice-president Adriano Galliani to discuss a new deal.

While the 34-year-old admits Milan could use some fresh blood after missing out on this year's Serie A title to Juventus, he will walk away from football if he is not part of Massimiliano Allegri's plans.

"Even when you win there's always something to change in a team," the midfielder said. "The Milan team is a little old and something must be done.

"My future? We'll see. I will speak with Galliani. I want to play again and if not I'll stay at home with my children. For me it is important to have a contract so I can play and feel alive."

Milan's 4-2 defeat to city rivals Inter meant they slipped four points behind Juventus, who won their first Serie A crown since 2003, with just one game to play.

Gattuso knows Milan were the architects of their own downfall but was quick to pay tribute to Juventus.

"Hats off to Juventus," he said. "They had a different mentality from ours and deserved the championship.

"But we could have done more and we got caught by a team that has grown in every game and has proved to be very tough.

"We have had many occasions that we have wasted."

Update:

Hello, regular commenting on Orange News and Sport pages closes on Thursday 30 May 2013. We will continue to provide a commenting facility on major news and sport events on orangeworld.co.uk. Contact us via http://oran.ge/OWfeedback if you have any further questions. Thanks.