Former AC Milan Chief Football Officer Zvonimir Boban has admitted that he could not even watch the game against Sassuolo that clinched the Scudetto win.
The former CFO was fired by CEO Ivan Gazidis back March 7 2020 after an unauthorised interview released to La Gazzetta dello Sport in which the Croatian manager revealed that an agreement was in place with Ralf Rangnick to become the new head coach.
Since then there has been a messy legal battle. Calcio e Finanza (via Calciomercato.com) wrote how back in December 2020 the Labour Judge of the Court of Milan accepted Boban’s appeal on his dismissal, condemning Milan to pay €5,375,000 to him, but then an appeal was submitted by the Rossoneri and Boban then had to hand back €1.2m.
Interviewed by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Boban spoke about a number of topics related to the Rossoneri including their title win, the key players in the current squad and the work of his friend Paolo Maldini, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
On who his first call was to after the Scudetto win: “To Paolo Maldini and Massara who then passed me on to Pioli on the bus back from Sassuolo. At the stadium there were my father and my son, crazy Rossoneri. I was in the dark of my room watching chess on YouTube, I didn’t have the courage to watch it.”
On the farewell to Milan and whether he would do it all again: “Absolutely yes, a matter of principle and dignity. I don’t paint myself as a saint, I’m not, but it had to be done. I’m sorry about what happened, but I’m proud of it.”
On the work of Maldini and Pioli: “Paolo worked very well and all the merits must be recognised, he is fundamental. Stefano was great in creating a crazy team spirit, he never gave up an inch and deserves great compliments. Sometimes he doesn’t. we see it the same way, but that’s the beauty of football.”
On Maldini’s effort to get his renewal: “Yes, very much, it was a disappointing fact.”
On Ibra and if he is doing well to continue: “No, it’s not good, but I understand if he will continue because I know how he thinks. All of us Milan fans, me in particular, will be grateful to him forever. You said well: with Zlatan everything has changed, he has changed everything. Ibra is unique.
On Tonali and Leao: “When you play for Milan, the consecration is timeless, it must happen in every match, every year. The two of them were extraordinary last year, they have enormous quality and talent and have been decisive in the most important matches. This year, I believe and hope will be the year of Bennacer, an extraordinary person and player, unfairly underestimated.”
On De Ketelaere: “He has class, personality and sees everything. I have doubts with regards to his speed, which is needed to be a champion. Certainly he is Milan-worthy, he is a talent.”
On the team that intrigues him the most: “Milan. The Scudetto was even more beautiful than that of Perugia in 1999, but the real challenge now is to repeat itself. But the reconstruction of Napoli after so many important goodbyes also intrigues me.”
will he come back?
I hope he comes back home one day. One of my favorite Milan players of all time. The definition of elegance. Forza Milan!
I hope he will, but it needs a good management environment.
Zorro speaks what he think!
Some people like Gazidis and Elliot can’t work with him
I’m as a fan always love and respect Boban for his honesty!
I have to find better translation for this interview.
Boban is the real hero who help Milan won this scudetto!
Without Boban blasting Gazidis’ sneaky contracting Rangnick, Maldini and Pioli would all be all gone by now. Milan would not be the same as it is today.
Grazie Boban!
That’s true, Boban was sacrificed so that the rest can survive – although Maldini was a much heavier card to burn, he was the one who ultimately turned things around.
I mean, you can fire Boban, it’s a small scandal but touching Maldini is nearly suicidal in Milan terms.
This guy gets it