Marco van Basten has advised his former club AC Milan not to turn to Filippo Inzaghi should they decide not to confirm Clarence Seedorf as coach next season.
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Seedorf's position remains shrouded in doubt due to reported differences of opinion with the club's general manager Adriano Galliani.
He signed a contract until 2016 when he took over from Massimiliano Allegri in January, taking his first ever managerial position after ending his playing career.
According to Van Basten, Milan made a mistake in appointing him, however, and he would not be surprised if they change their mind this summer, although he believes appointing Inzaghi would prove to be another mistake.
#INSERT type:image caption:Seedorf left Botafogo in January to begin his managerial career at Milan. END#
"There's a big difference between being a footballer and being a coach," he told Sky Sport Italia. "The coach needs to lead the team, he needs to talk to the players and be in control of things like discipline. All a player has to do is play.
"If I had been the one deciding, in a situation which was not easy, like Milan's, then I would have chosen a coach with more experience.
"To manage Milan, you need a lot of experience. [Roberto] Donadoni has a lot more of this [than Inzaghi] and he is ready to manage a complicated club like the Rossoneri. I would choose him, even if Inzaghi may have a lot of talent, but to realise that, he needs to be given time."
Former Milan midfielder Donadoni gained his managerial experience at spells in charge of Livorno, Napoli and Parma, as well as the Italian national team. Those years in the dugout could put him at an advantage when it comes to dealing with temperamental Milan striker Mario Balotelli, who Van Basten believes could be one of the world's best players, just as soon as he sorts out his attitude.
"He's a good player, one who can make the difference, but if he wants to become a great player in every game, he's still got to demonstrate he's the best," Van Basten said. "It's all about his mentality. If you want to become world class, you need something else."