Former AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has revealed he wanted to hire Marco Giampaolo three years ago.

Departing Sampdoria coach Giampaolo is due to be appointed as AC Milan coach in the coming days.

“I had opted for Giampaolo in the summer of 2016, when we were sharing our ideas with one of the many Chinese groups in negotiations to buy the club," former CEO Galliani, now running Monza, told Sky Sport Italia.

“They wanted Montella, who I do respect, don't get me wrong.

"Giampaolo can confirm this, he came to my house and if it were up to me, we'd have hired him in 2016."