Crack have appeared in the relationship between technical director Paolo Maldini and Elliott Management for a number of reasons, a report claims.
According to Wednesday’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (via MilanLive), Maldini has dictated his conditions for staying at the club while the owners – despite the revolution – would like to keep him for both continuity and image. However, Elliott also bears in mind the mistakes made.
The largest, not forgotten by the American fund, is the choice of Marco Giampaolo as head coach last summer. He would ultimately last just seven games before being sacked after a dismal beginning to the season.
In October, the first design cracks can be seen between Maldini, the former CFO Zvonimir Boban and CEO Ivan Gazidis as the former captain declared: “No young team has won the league or Champions League.
“To do this you need experienced players. If the idea is to be competitive again in 15 years, Boban and I will certainly not be the ones in charge of the sports area.”
Meanwhile, Maldini enjoyed some fruit of his work including the signing of Theo Hernandez who has so far looked the best purchase of the summer campaign.
In mid-February the internal battle became evident, as Maldini stated: “In times of difficulty you always cling to more experienced players and people like Kjaer and Ibra give this security. But perhaps it is still too little to make our young people grow quickly.”
Above all he passed an unfavourable judgement on Ralf Rangnick: “Honestly, as director of the sports area, with due respect, I don’t think it’s the right profile to associate with Milan.”
Boban was sacked for his outbursts but Maldini, who was tempted to follow him immediately, in the end he remained only for the good of the group and of Milan.
