Since Paolo Maldini left AC Milan, the club has been heading on a downward spiral and Fabio Capello referenced this earlier today.
The loss to Cagliari has many Milan fans fearing a return to the banter era and whilst things may not that bad yet, they are certainly heading in that direction. Another summer of change is expected and the stars are likely to depart.
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So, whilst the banter era might not be starting again yet, to deny that the Rossoneri are close would be being oblivious to the current situation. Indeed, it is a difficult time to follow the club and decisions must be made right this summer.
Capello’s review
If anything, Sunday’s loss proved why the Diavolo are where they are. Few players performed at all, let alone well, so the mercato has been scrutinised. Speaking in his column for Gazzetta dello Sport, Capello offered a look at the game and a need to ‘thank’ Maldini, as Calciomercato.com relayed.
“I saw a team, Allegri’s, without strength, without will, without ideas. As was the case for much of the second half of the season. And it must be added that, against Cagliari, they were also lucky that it only ended 1-2.
“The AC Milan fans watched their opponents play: is something like that even possible at this level, and, what’s more, in a match that’s a final? Physically, the team is exhausted, but at least they could have put their heart and soul into it, they could have fought: instead, there was no pressing, no aggression, nothing at all.”
A need to thank Maldini…
“In the end, I can only use one adjective to describe the Rossoneri’s evening: sad. I’ll add another: humiliating. Yes, because it must have been humiliating for the fans, who had followed the team passionately for an entire season, to witness such a spectacle.
“It’s impossible to see a Milan side in these conditions : the whole team seemed passive to me. I repeat: the result and the performance were shocking.
“What to do now? A good meeting to understand what we want to do and where we want to go. The Rossoneri’s entire second half of the season wasn’t great, and that’s something that needs to be analysed.
“A revolution? Yes, but only if there are ideas behind it, otherwise there’s no point in revolutionising. First, we need to figure out where to start, and it won’t be an easy job. I’ll just add one thing: since Maldini and Massara left the club, we’ve seen very little of Milan. And I think I’ve made myself clear.”
Excellent comment by Fabio! I hope those who manage our team will understand what Fabio is saying!
I doubt Gerry is man enough to admit he made a mistake and do this. 0% chance.
They are after Conte. They aren’t trying to build anything. Juts trying to sustain until a sell off. Clear as day.
Yea, there is no solution that doesn’t include bringing those two back. Seriously. It’s not fanboy crap, it’s logic. The situation is so bad that short of bringing in Pep and Klopp together, the fans aren’t going to accept any new people coming in. Since it doesn’t look like Redbird will start paying players English or Spanish level wages, we need a management team that players want to play for. The only reason Milan were winning the transfer market over Madrid, Liverpool and the like, back in 2020, was because Maldini would call these players and who can say no to Maldini? The ONLY solution at this point is literally Maldini and Massara. If they can also bring in Galliani to deal with the politics, then great. I’ve said this before but I think we are very close to seeing actual violence, which isn’t a good thing and I wouldn’t agree with any violent acts, but some of these people will this Redbirds actions as an attack on their culture and thus turn violent. Cardinale really doesn’t get it. This isn’t NYC, when the team is like this people don’t wear paper bags over their heads, they get violent. It only takes a hand full of people to do a lot of damage. Not a good situation at all. ONLY Maldini can quell the anxiety.
Maldini & Massara instead of Tare & Moncada (he could remain as a scout) but don’t be fooled and dazed and dazzled) by Massara, we can manage without him; Galliani – Scaroni, ??? – furlani, ??? – ibrahimovic & kirovski, ???- allegri, ??? – cardinale;
Well sure, I do think Massara helped Maldini with a lot. However, the two most important names are Maldini and Galliani. We get those and we have a chance. I want Ibra out all together. If Cardinale wants Ibra to be a cheerleader in the USA for Milan, then fine. But he doesn’t get to make decisions anymore.
I’m not saying he didn’t help, just that his role is and was overrated, we could find someone to help Paolo for sure. That bas*ard is a cheerleader already, he is nothing but a jester.
Great idea. Hire the guy that took Milan from the moon and ran them into the ground. Go and look at what happened under Galliani.
…lol…yea you’re right, 5 champions league trophies and 8 scudetti is def running them into the ground…multiple ballon d’or players…you’re right…ran them rrriiiight into the ground…
“took Milan from the moon and ran them into the ground”
From the moon? Do you know the history of the club? You’re a joke. Go suck Gerry’s co*k more, you seem to be doing that in every comment lately.
Sure, lecture me some more, it’s not like I am a fan for 33 years, it’s you I needed the whole time, your bright and infallible insight enlighten me. Can you honestly say that scaroni is a better option than AG?
The problem with Galliani is that he’s poor on a limited budget. When silvio ruled the world and poured money in Galliani was great. But look at Monza after Silvio’s passing – no funding and Galliani gets them relegated. He leaves last year and they are back in serie A.
This is true. However, Redbird do spend money on this club and I think they need to abandon the moneyball tactic and start consolidating their funds into proven winners. They spend 200 mil a transfer window. instead of buying 10 unproven Chelsea rejects, buy some winners. $200 million a window, is no small amount of $ and Galliani could do very well with that. Additionally, we really need him to give us wisdom with the politics of the league in Italy. We’re getting our butts kicked in the politics department. He could help there. His wisdom and the respect he has amongst the higher ups in Italy is what his use would be.
Hur får vi bort Cardinale från klubben?
I still believe AC Milan lost something important the moment Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara left the club.
They understood what Milan is supposed to represent — not just as a football club, but as an identity. They built a young and hungry team with intelligence, passion, and clear direction, and they were a huge part of bringing Milan back to the top again.
Of course they were not perfect and every management makes mistakes, but there was a vision, stability, and connection with the fans that feels missing today.
I honestly hope one day Maldini and Massara return to Milan. People like that belong at this club. Milan feels stronger when true Milanisti are leading the project.
Moncada found many of the players in the capacity of a scout, credits to him for getting some of those jobs done and making the transfers even possible, his effort must be appreciated as well. It’s only the work he has/had done later that is bad and should be criticised. I’m not being ironic right now, in fact, this is a very serious comment.
Moncada was siding with Bean, Furliani and Elliott. Massara and Maldini insisted on Hernandez, Tonali, Bennacer and many more. They, the initially mentioned, didn’t want to sign most of the core Maldini brought in. Moncada’s data and shortlists are 4 years behind. Our scouting has went downhill.
Capello is 100% correct. However, cardinale would rather sell than bring Maldini back in my opinion. So onto the next wave of milan news.
Cardinale doesn’t want one man show like in Maldini time, he wants to control the club
” First, we need to figure out where to start, and it won’t be an easy job. I’ll just add one thing: since Maldini and Massara left the club, we’ve seen very little”
Underhill will be pulling his hair out LMAO 🤣🤣🤣
Maldini and Galliani in
Ibra, Furlani Tare, Moncada out
Sack allegri. Bring Conte or Simone Inzaghi or Pep
Pep will take a hiatus for a year.
Maldini represented continuity, and his departure led to frequent changes (coaches, sporting directors) and increased instability. From champions in 2022 to 5th place in 2026, there was a clear decline in results and competitiveness (losing crucial points, performing poorly against mid table teams). Repeated absences from the Champions League reduce revenue and the club appeal to top players and sponsors. Milan needs experienced professionals with proven executive expertise. Without stability for 3-4 seasons and a clear transition strategy, the relative decline compared to Inter will continue. History shows that great clubs collapse when they lose cultural continuity without compensating for it with superior institutional efficiency.
“ I’ll just add one thing: since Maldini and Massara left the club, we’ve seen very little of Milan. And I think I’ve made myself clear.”
FACTS