AC Milan have resumed the process of trying to identify the right sporting director to take over, and CEO Giorgio Furlani has a clear favourite.
Calciomercato.com recall that the choice seemed to have fallen on Fabio Paratici, with Milan ready to overlook his suspension initially because they believed him to be the right profile for the future, given his experience.
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However, as the talks progressed they learned more information about his situation – such as his limited operability because of the ban and also the upcoming Prisma trail – which they clearly did not like and thus decided to pull the plug.
Furlani’s favourite
Tony D’Amico is the man that Furlani wants, and for four reasons. Firstly, the results obtained both at Hellas Verona and Atalanta are clear for all to see. He is quick and decisive in negotiations, has an eye for talent and he has extensive contacts within Italy.
Moreover, D’Amico has the ability to work in a team and a media presence limited only to when necessary. During this week, a contact between the parties is planned to get to know each other better and exchange ideas and visions for the future.
He is the main candidate in the eyes of the CEO, but he has a contract with Atalanta and this factor must be taken into great consideration. Furlani sounded out Giovanni Manna in recent days but the director is tied to Napoli by a contract until 2029.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic meanwhile has put forward the candidacy of Igli Tare, who is free from contract. He had a meeting in London a month ago with Ibrahimovic and Gerry Cardinale, then total silence. Now, his candidacy has almost automatically returned to prominence, awaiting Furlani’s thoughts.
Oliver you literally just wrote that Tar was the top choice. Pick a lane or consolidate sources and give an opinion.
Neither Sartori, D’Amico or Manna will arrive. I’m not even sure what record Manna has to be in consideration anyway. All three are under contract, and in the middle of “projects” that are well in progress (in the case of Sartori and D’Amico), or just getting started (Manna). Sartori was the original architect of the rise of Atalanta, and he seems to be replicating it again at Bologna. There is no reason of him to leave, given that Bologna is once again challenging for CL football, with a coach who is just as good if not better than Motta, and that after having sold Bologna’s two best players. He’s 67 years old, and my guess is that he will retire once this current “era” runs its course at Bologna. We also need someone who can be our DS for at least a decade. Sartori will by 77 in ten years. D’Amico also probably won’t leave an Atalanta that is in full swing, despite stumbling lately, and it’s less likely that Atalanta would be willing to also let go of their DS if they lose Gasperini. So, that’s those two eliminated. Then there is Manna, but who is Manna? He’s also under contract and in the middle of a rebuild with a club that will be playing CL ball and has Conte on the bench.
Paratici is a proven option, but they’re right to drop him if he can’t work until July 20. We will need work done well before that. In fact, this new DS needs to be in place by the last match of the season. Although another take is that a proper rebuild won’t happen in one summer, so maybe we should just bite the bullet and take Paratici.
In truth, it should have have been Andrea Berta, but true to form, management dithered about and another club stole a march on us. So really that just leaves Tare (or one of the lesser lights we’ve been linked with). And if Tare arrives I have a feeling that the next coach will be either Allegri or Sarri.
Meh…..Atalanta has peaked. They won the Europa League last year and that will be the high water mark in terms of trophies available.
They were in the title race for awhile this year but faded as per usual. Top four, sure. But in terms of winning big trophies D’Amico won’t win any others at Atalanta.
At Milan long term everything is in play. Scudetto, UCL, etc etc. Milan is a much bigger job regardless of where they end up this year.
The wheels are coming off Atalanta’s project. D’Amico is a possibility that isn’t too far fetched.
The problem is we’re into April already but still there’s so much confusion and factions with Milan. Only rumors so far and nothing concrete. Furlani’s timetable is so f#cked up.
Unfortunately misery at Milan will continue.
ACM boards hasn’t a clue what they want… No football plan, no strategy, nothing…..
One week they wanted Paraticci…After that on Monday they want D’amico, on Tuesday they want Tarre , and so on……….
Not a surprise as the Yankee owners have no clue regarding European and especially Italian football.