AC Milan football chief Paolo Maldini admits his time in charge has been a battle.
Maldini almost resigned last year after clashing with chief exec Ivan Gazidis over attempts to replace coach Stefano Pioli.
He said, “I cannot deny there were difficult moments and regrets, as things could've gone even better. We were rewarded for the choices we made, not just in terms of the players, but also the way we communicated. That saved us during difficult moments.
“We believed even when things weren't going very well. You could see the players had the potential to do more and when you have 20-year-olds wearing a prestigious jersey like this, you can't expect everything straight away. Patience in football is important and not everyone can see those positive signs.
“It was a new role for me too and I had to gain experience, but fortunately I worked with Leonardo and I did learn a lot from watching him. Because it's such a young squad, we directors had to talk more with the players as individuals than we used to in my day.
“The biggest challenge was making sure everyone felt a part of this Milan project, even those who are on loan or feel like they might be moving on. I really enjoy this job and I hope to continue for a long time."
Maldini continued: “The truth is that we never doubted Pioli this season. Let's not forget where we started from, losing 5-0 in Bergamo, where we won today.
“I have always been honest and never lied to you, so even if we didn't talk much, we only spoke the truth."
