Bierhoff: Zlatan would have gone had Rangnick joined the club

Ex-

striker Oliver Bierhoff has revealed that it was likely that

would have resigned from the Rossoneri had Ralf Rangnick wanted to become a member of the club.

The former Germany star put the ball in the back of the net 44 times in 119 matches in three seasons with the Diavoli.

"As a child, I went to Milanello with my father who was a friend of [Kar-Heinz] Schnellinger," Bierhoff said.

"When I signed with Milan, the club came from two disappointing seasons. I arrived with [Thomas] Helveg and [Alberto] Zaccheroni, I already knew how the manager worked.

“I was immediately put at the table of the most iconic players. I sat with [Alessandro] Costacurta, [Demetrio] Albertini, [Paolo] Maldini, [Zvonimir] Boban and [Sebastiano] Rossi. I was so proud.

“I realized that I was sitting among those who made you understand immediately the Milan mentality and life.

“[Silvio] Berlusconi very kind. It was the time of politics for him and therefore we didn’t see him much but we felt that he was very close to the players.

“When Milan wanted to sign me I had received an offer from Juventus. They called me to find out if I had already signed with Juve, I said no and Milan sent their private jet to pick me up because there was traffic in the highway between Udine and Milan.”

Milan is now Serie A leader and Bierhoff declared that their star Ibrahimovic would have resigned from the club had Ralf Rangnick joined the club.

“He would have gone away with Rangnick. Ibra is always a champion, extraordinary, even at 39,” he added.

Bierhoff won his only Scudetto with Milan in 1999.

“The '99 continues to be a good year for Milan," Bierhoff declared.

"I am proud and satisfied to have been part of that team. Time passes, but I still feel young. In the national team we have some [players born in] '99, one is Kai Havertz.”