Paolo Maldini leaves Milan, the press release. «His responsibilities to a working group»-Corriere.it

Paul Maldini and Milan split, now official. A decision made by the company. The meeting, which took place yesterday in a hotel in Milan, between the former Rossoneri champion and head of the technical area and AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale, had not been the most pleasant, the conversation had been described as difficult, no one had entered too much in the analysis of technical issues because the decision had essentially already been made, but in the end it seemed that the bitterness had been overcome. Looking for an amicable separation. There were 24 hours of work to try to sign a common communication.

Instead, the tear was evidently too strong and the press release – meager – arrived signed only by the club and not by both: Ac Milan announce that Paolo Maldini concludes his tenure at the club, with effect from 5 June 2023. We thank him for his contribution over the years, with Milan’s return to the Champions League and the Scudetto victory in the 2021/22 season. His responsibilities will be assigned to an integrated working group which will work closely with the first team coach, reporting directly to the managing director.

It remains a pity that we have not been able to continue together. It is clear that these are the days of disorientation among the fans who saw Paolo, Cesare’s son, as the guarantor of Milan, also thrilled by results that have led in recent years to a Scudetto and the Champions League semi-final, as recalled in the press release.

The reasons for the farewell

But in a company we all have to go in the same direction. The philosophies of the two are too different not to take different paths. Maldini, as manager of the technical area, wanted to keep the autonomy obtained a year ago — when his contract was expiring and Cardinale was completing the acquisition of Milan from Elliott — which allowed him to spend an unchecked budget for the market (which last year was 50 million euros, the highest in Serie A ).

It didn’t go very well a year ago, but more than the flop of some choices (De Ketelaere above all, who absorbed 70% of the budget), what Cardinale does not share is the method, which in Italy, it must be said, is still the most widespread (because the majority of teams have single-ownership). The American owner prefers teamwork, in which there is collaboration (a key word in Cardinale’s vision) between different areas and heads. the interdisciplinary method he uses in all activities in the RedBird portfolio, and football is no exception. the method that is already widespread in Milan in other areas, starting with the youth sector. The technical area could not fail to adapt. At the moment Maldini and Massara will not be replaced: so who will make the transfer market? The working group mentioned in the press release. More powers to the scouting chief Geoffrey Moncadaexpenses will be authorized and decided by CEO Giorgio Furlani, Billy Beane’s data analysis skills will be used (READ HERE the profile of the men), all in agreement with the coach Pioli whose position is strengthened.