CEO candidate Ferrari outlines vision for Milan which includes return of Maldini

Massimo Ferrari has been mentioned as a candidate for AC Milan’s vacant CEO position, and he has outlined his vision.

Milan are looking for a new Chief Executive Officer (as well as other key figures) after the mass clear-out last Monday cost Giorgio Furlani his job. A number of candidates have already been mentioned, including Ferrari’s.

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For now it seems Gerry Cardinale’s new right-hand man Massimo Calvelli is handling things on an interim basis. There is a transitional period to oversee including the appointment of new directors and a head coach, then a more permanent solution in the role may be sought.

Ferrari gave an interview to this morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport in which he responded to the links and offered his take on current events at Milan.

Let’s start with the news: have you spoken to Gerry Cardinale?

“No. However, I have shared some of my ideas with managers and prominent figures, and I must say they are widely shared, yes. I have just closed a 15-year chapter in my life that required many sacrifices; at 64, I also have other personal ambitions.

“However, Milan is a passion and an environment I know well, having already served on the board of directors with Elliott, during a difficult time because we were under UEFA sanctions. If there were a single opportunity, I would consider it.

“A necessary premise: we are talking about passion, so there is an irrational element that involves everyone, managers, shareholders, fans. But wishing death on those involved with Milan is unacceptable, incompatible with the values ​​of sport, and unfair to those who have worked and continue to work. This applies to Lotito, Cairo, and even the Milan of Elliott and RedBird.”

Where does this sporting failure originate?

“As always, it’s a combination of factors. Perhaps a poorly advised shareholder, perhaps some junior figures who know little about football, perhaps we need to be more present in the League. Let’s also take Milanello: it was once cutting-edge, it needs to be back to that.

“Today, there are machines, such as laser cameras, that measure the condition of tendons and the musculoskeletal system, which can predict injuries and direct treatment.”

How do Milan start again?

“Now we need a reset. The shareholder seems aware that we need to invest in a new supply chain.”

There are so many names being floated around, is there anyone who convinces you?

“I won’t go into details. I’m saying that the CEO must be paid like the others, act as a controller, be able to say no, smooth out rough edges, get everyone to work, and be the guardian of communication.

“He must be governed by a board of people who know either the accounts, the rules, or football. We need a leading coach. And the technical directorship needs someone credible. I’ll say it right away: I think someone like Paolo Maldini can and should be there.”

They say he’s not a team player…

“Everyone has their flaws, but a club manages them. Of course, then you have to assign them responsibilities. On the other hand, whoever leads the technical area shouldn’t interfere with the coach.

“He, in turn, can’t blindly impose on all his collaborators, because, as I was saying, in the medical or training areas, standards of innovation and high quality must be met.”

What’s your first step if you were to introduce yourself to Cardinale?

“First of all, there’s the issue of funding, which is necessary and needs to be raised beyond player trading: let’s say, hypothetically, if I showed up with €100m to put into a fund that invests in Milan, I’m sure I’d be listened to.”

And what would you say to him?

“I’ll go into macro areas. The UEFA system is dramatically progressive: whoever wins, wins a lot. Whoever loses, loses a lot. We need to start from here. Other systems like the NBA are different: if you finish last, you might not even lose money.

“In our country, failing to qualify for the Champions League is a disaster. But setting fourth place as a goal, the minimum for survival, means getting everything wrong. The average for those aiming for fourth is somewhere between fifth and seventh place.”

So the first thing to recover is ambition…

“Exactly. Everything starts from here and everything is connected. It takes a single vision that permeates the entire club and a single voice. It’s clear to everyone that a football club is a media company.

“There’s a market for television rights that needs to be grown. Sustainability is essential, but sometimes spending more means getting much greater returns. Inter’s wage bill is €50 million higher than AC Milan’s but generates €80m more.”

Investments, however, have not been lacking: more than anything, as Cardinale said, it hasn’t been spent wisely…

“When it comes to player trading, I draw inspiration from my experience in managing savings. The idea of ​​buying for 20 and selling for 50 has been statistically proven to be unrealistic. Also because the transaction costs – read: agents’ commissions – are insane.

“Players often lose value, and there are many examples at AC Milan, from Estupinan to Nkunku, from Gimenez to Fofana. Others are evened out, like De Winter, Okafor, Jashari, Ricci…

“Real capital gains are extremely rare: Tonali, Reijnders, Thiaw, and in any case, selling the players who are performing every year depletes the team. It doesn’t take a genius to understand that talented young players are so few and far between that it’s difficult to find them right…”

So what is the correct course?

“So, setting a 2-3 year goal, you have to wait for the players to develop. Take De Ketelaere’s case, for example. And you have to have a top-notch scouting team.

“Many joke about it, but Como are a great example. They’ve invested well, they’ve brought Hollywood stars, promoting the brand worldwide, and when a child is born, they give them a Como kit, creating bonds.”

Como have also spent a lot. To do so, they need to find new revenue, for example from the stadium…

“I can bring 15 years of experience to this. Investing isn’t enough; you have to explain the project and explain the added value to the citizens.”

How do you see Ibrahimovic’s role?

“I don’t know, I see elements of risk. I’d say instead that I’d like to involve Adriano Galliani, perhaps on an advisory committee, made up of high-profile figures who can be heard by everyone.”

What could a Milan like this achieve?

“You can’t sell false promises; a serious timeframe for winning is three years. But it’s time to reset and start again.”