Giampaolo could bring more Poles to Milan soon

If you ask Polish football fans to fantasize about a scenario where a dream coach would come and manage the Polish national team, you'll almost surely get a unanimous response for Jurgen Klopp, who has raved about Polish players and Polish football fan culture from when he coached three of them, Robert Lewandowski, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Lukasz Pisczcek with Borussia Dortmund. One time i remember, when Dortmund played Lech Poznan in a friendly (part of the Lewandowski transfer agreement), a Polish tv station asked Klopp for an interview and were rejected by the Dortmund press secretary, saying he won't be doing any interviews. Shortly after, Klopp popped up onto the set and on live tv, apologized for the staffer who told them he wouldn't do one, saying he'll always be available to Polish media because he loves their passion and love for the game. He's been true to his word too, as he's always accepted interview requests after big matches in the bundesliga, premier league or champions league from Polish media.

But, there should be someone else that fans should glamour about. A person who shares a similar love for Polish players. That's new AC Milan manager Marco Giampaolo. The reason for Giampaolo and Klopp to love Polish footballers isn't because their being nice, but it's a understanding and a respect they have for them. Giampaolo once told Polish Seria A TV rights holder Eleven Sport that as long as he's a manager he will always give Polish players chances because of three reasons: 1. They always work hard, even if they are not as skilled, you won't notice by their work ethic. 2. They genuinely love the game. And 3. They are cheap.

Before being hired by Sampdoria, Giampaolo was hired by Empoli. They were favorites for relegation that season. He made two moves that changed everything for him. Signed goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski on loan from Roma, goalkeeper who left Poland for Italy but was the odd man out in Roma, not only got an opportunity with Empoli but was their starter. He returned the favor by leading the league in shutouts. He also brought in Piotr Zielinski, on loan from Udinese. For some reason, Udinese never gave him much of a look. Giampaolo gave him a lot of looks at different positions. Udinese was able to make a profit on Zielinski after that season by selling him to Italian power Napoli, where Zielinski has only become better and is now a regular starter for them.

After the season with Empoli, Giampaolo moved on to Sampdoria. Where he got Karol Linetty as one of his first transfers as new coach and Bartosz Bereszynski in the second summer. Sampdoria also signed Dawid Kownacki, who didn't pan out as they wouldv'e liked but that was more due to the players in front of him then Kownacki. As for Linetty and Bereszynski, both have been regular starters for a team that always flirted with top 6 in the Seria A under Giampaolo since his arrival.

Now, Giampaolo moves on to his next task. Being named the AC Milan manager. There, he will be joined by lethal goalscorer Krzysztof Piatek, who Milan has just signed last January from Genoa. But who else will join him there? Bereszynski has been linked, as has Arsenal defender and Poland U21 star Krystian Bielik.

I'm not sure if any of those two will join or anyone else for the matter this summer, but odds are good that Giampaolo will keep his scouts eyes set on Poland for future potential transfers. Giampaolo knows Poland has been developing good footballers and the risk is minimal due to the low cost. If not this summer, i would suspect next summer Piatek will get some Polish reinforcements joining him in Milan as Giampaolo and Piatek try to bring Milan back to it's glory days.