Tearful Seedorf confirms AC Milan manager's job

( Xinhua ) Updated: 2014-01-15 09:16:55

Dutch soccer player Clarence Seedorf (L) greets Botafogo President Mauricio Assumpcao during a news conference in Rio de Janeiro January 14, 2014. Seedorf is expected to be the new coach of Serie A side AC Milan. The move to appoint Seedorf, who had a successful 10-year playing career at Milan but who has no coaching experience, would be something of a gamble for the club, who sacked Massimiliano Allegri on Monday. [Photo/Agencies]

RIO DE JANEIRO - Clarence Seedorf was reduced to tears on Tuesday as he confirmed he will replace Massimiliano Allegri as coach of AC Milan.

The 37-year-old former Netherlands international confirmed to reporters in Rio de Janeiro that he had officially ended his playing career after an 18-month spell with Brazilian side Botafogo.

"The next step for me is as the coach of Milan," Seedorf said.

"The decision was made during the day, but the evening was difficult. I told my daughters at dinner, and it was relaxed. There were no cons. There are no cons. There are only pros at this moment."

Seedorf spent 10 years at AC Milan as a player, winning the Champions League twice.

It followed spells at Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Ajax, the latter two also bringing Champions League success.

He joined Botafogo in July 2012 and helped the club to the Campeonato Carioca title last May.

Seedorf also guided the Rio outfit to fourth place in Brazil's top division last year, earning them a place in the Copa Libertadores - South America's premier club competition - for the first time since 1996.

In a tearful farewell to teammates, Seedorf said his time to leave had come.

"In life, when opportunities come along you have to take them. Football offers many opportunities to grow as a professional and as a human being," he said.

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