Atletico Mineiro club president Alexandre Kalil has apologised to fans for their Copa Libertadores elimination at the hans of Colombian side Atletico Nacional and insisted that any flak should be directed at him and not the players and coaches.
After replacing head coach Paulo Autori with Levir Culpi last week, Kalil suggested that Mineiro were heading in the right direction, but their latest defeat, coupled with the fact that the Belo Horizonte side have won once in nine games, has made the president come out to the press.
“What I say to the fans is that we have a long year. We still have the Brasileirao and the Copa do Brasil.”
“Let’s not pick on Ronaldinho, Tardelli, Autori, or anyone. I am the boss. I want to apologise. I’m very sad, embittered, but we still have joys this year.”
In their nine game winless run, Atletico have only managed to score six goals, another stat that will have their already disgruntled fans clamouring to hear more excuses from Kalil.
