Baresi back where he belongs

Franco Baresi has returned to Milan AC to take charge of the youth team, less than a month after resigning as the director of football at English club Fulham FC.

Successful career
Baresi's tenure in London lasted just two months, the 42-year-old saying on his departure: "My position with Fulham was not as I had envisaged it when I was first approached." However, he was upbeat at returning to the club he represented with honour and style during a trophy-laden 20-year career at the San Siro.

'Full of enthusiasm'
"It's a new role for me but I'm full of enthusiasm," Baresi told Milan's television channel. "I tried to stay away from Milan but it was too difficult for me. I have experience of working with youth teams for five years but being a coach is different. It's a big responsibility because Milan invest a lot of time and money in their youth teams."

World Cup fortunes
One of the great liberos, Baresi won 88 caps for Italy and was a member of three FIFA World Cup squads. He was part of the Azzurri party which won the 1982 tournament, but missed a penalty as Brazil defeated Italy after a shoot-out in the 1994 final. Baresi arrived at Milan in 1977 and remained a Rossoneri player until his retirement in 1997. He won six Serie A titles, three European Champion Clubs' Cups and two European/South American Cups.