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- Club legend moving on
- Cardinale calling the shots
- Changes behind the scenes
WHAT HAPPENED? Calciomercato are among those to report that major changes are being made by the Rossoneri behind the scenes. Said decisions have been taken on the back of a meeting between directors and club owner Gerry Cardinale on Monday.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: That discussion is said to have been brief, with RedBird chief Cardinale taking the decision to part with Maldini and Massara. The pair had been in charge of transfers and negotiating contracts, but debate regarding recruitment strategy and investment in new players is said to have led to restructuring at the top of the Serie A heavyweights.
AND WHAT'S MORE: Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani took on a leading role during contract talks with Rafael Leao – with the Portugal international now committed to fresh terms – and that power struggle has reportedly contributed to Maldini heading through the exits. Issues in that department are said to stretch back to 2019 when Furlani and former chief executive Ivan Gazidis tried to talk Ralf Rangnick into becoming the club’s new manager, with Maldini and ex-CFO Zvonimir Boban opposing that decision – leading to the latter leaving his post.
WHAT THEY SAID: Milan confirmed Maldini's departure in a statement on Tuesday: "AC Milan announces that Paolo Maldini concludes his role at the Club, effective as of June 5, 2023. We thank him for his years of service in the role, contributing to the return to the Champions League and to winning the Scudetto in 2021/22. His day-to-day duties will be performed by a team working in close integration with the first team manager, ultimately reporting to the CEO."
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GettyWHAT NEXT? Maldini has spent his entire career with Milan, as a player and director, and supporters will be disappointed to see another club legend depart. Furlani is, however, expected to take on greater responsibility alongside chief scout Geoffrey Moncada, while Igli Tare could be drafted in from domestic rivals Lazio as he will not be extending his contract as director of sport at the Rome-based outfit.