Milan supreme Silvio Berlusconi has backed boss Carlo Ancelotti after another disappointing season, but he also promised changes to the playing staff next season.

"Ancelotti is part of the Milan family and I expect him to be here in the coming years," Berlusconi told Radio Radio in Italy. "But a great side needs more winners.

"We had to deal with the serious injury to Ronaldo and this team was built on having a battering ram like him up front with Alexandre Pato and Kaka in behind creating things."

The comment points to a notable lack of squad depth at Milan, exacerbated by the high average age of the first-team, most notably in defence. And Berlusconi has vowed to bring in new faces.

"We still have a squad full of great players, even if they are getting older," the former Italian prime minister continued.

"Paolo Maldini will probably retire, but we aren't ageing too badly.

"We just need to look to youth for our reinforcements."

Milan were knocked out of the Champions League in the second round by Arsenal, have only a mathematical chance of finishing inside the top three in Serie A and cannot win the title. They have also been linked with versatile Barcelona defender Gianluca Zambrotta and West Ham full-back George McCartney.

Reda Maher / Eurosport