Milan-Tottenham, the last time at San Siro the brawl between Gattuso and Joe Jordan – Corriere.it

That time too it was the first leg of a round of 16 Champions League and even in that case it was played at San Siro. The last match between Milan and Tottenham in the top European competition did not go down in history for the show, for the good game (in that case the Rossoneri lost 1-0 for a goal from Crouch in the 80th minute, compromising a qualification to the next round that did not arrive), but due to the clash in the ring at the end of the match between Gennaro Gattuso and Joe Jordanassistant coach of the England team.

Milan-Tottenham, where to see it on TV

What started out as a spat between player and bench soon turned into one brawl. Jordan, former AC Milan player from 1981 to 1983, nicknamed “the shark” because he took the field without the false incisors (which he had lost in game clashes) thus remaining only with the canines in plain sight, he had begun to provoke Gattuso in the first half, when the half had approached after a yellow card.

Gattuso, teased throughout the match, at the triple whistle decided to rush to the assistant coach, first grabbing him by the neck and then also hitting him with one light headboard which triggered a scrum between all the players of the two teams. In the post-match interviews, Gattuso did not look for an alibi, declaring that he had lost his mind because Jordan broke, and assuming all responsibility. The English coach, on the other hand, preferred not to talk.

Gattuso was disqualified by five dayshaving to watch the useless return match at Tottenham’s home (finished 0-0) from the sofa, but being able to console himself at the end of the season by winning the Scudetto, the 18th in Milan’s history.

The nuanced coaching deal

Many years later, in the summer of 2021, this fight cost a Gattuso
a rich commitment as manager of Tottenham. One step away from signing, Spurs fans stormed social media post against the former AC Milan player, also bringing up Gattuso’s past statements on civil and social rights and labeling him as sexist, homophobic and racist. An exaggerated revolt, but one that prompted President Levy to back down on hiring the coach.