Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s return to AC Milan was confirmed yesterday, but he will also be a RedBird Capital Partners employee and will be trusted with a double role.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) writes how Ibrahimovic will be an operating partner of RedBird, Senior Advisor to the ownership and Senior Management of Milan, but behind the titles what will Ibrahimovic’s new realm of influence be?
The definition that most interests Rossoneri fans is the one that concerns Zlatan’s involvement in the club. No precise tasks are indicated and there are no pre-established boundaries meaning Ibra will offer his collaboration to all areas of the club, first and foremost the sporting one.
Agreement with the coach
For Stefano Pioli, the Swede could be an exceptional interlocutor with whom to discuss technical and tactical issues. Ibrahimovic will not have daily appointments at Milanello or even weekly; rather he will be present when the moment requires it, in agreement with Pioli.
This is why the manager continues to consider him an added value and will not feel overshadowed by his light. Ibra will once again be a possible point of reference for the dressing room, and Leao was the first to welcome him on social media.
Zlatan had built his career as a centre-forward on determination and fighting spirit, even before talent, returning to exert his competitive pressure and once again taking on the role of motivator who transfers a sense of discipline, commitment to training, physical care.
So, it won’t be surprising if photos of Zlatan in conversation with Theo Hernandez bounce around Milanello, as Paolo Maldini did until last season. The Swede’s scope of action also includes ‘player development and training for high performance’, as announced in the appointment press release. Which translates into helping the team to grow also from the point of view of the individuals.
Ibra will talk to them, many of whom were team-mates until a few months ago, and will support them as he did as a player. Even though he is not a sqyad member, he will be able to go down to the San Siro changing rooms and perhaps speak in front of the cameras (his skills as a frontman are widely proven).
Helping the club
Limiting the perimeter of Ibrahimovic’s influence to the sporting area alone, however, would be reductive, because Zlatan will also have a say in the corporate field (even without having an office at Casa Milan, the club’s headquarters).
He will be a consultant to the owners – or rather to Cardinale – and to the top management, the president Paolo Scaroni and the CEO Giorgio Furlani. And a consultant, by definition, advises and provides opinions.
Will Ibra have his say on the transfer market? Will he be able to suggest the name of a possible next coach? Double yes. The great experience as a man on the field, the profound knowledge of the subject are a guarantee: for this reason the point of view of the Malmo champion – however detached, because Ibra is not part of the team – could prove to be a precious analysis tool for those who are in charge.
If his role in the club will be broad but not well defined, it is due to a specific intention: the role is tailor-made to Zlatan’s personality and eclecticism. Above all he is evolving, he will adapt to events. On behalf of Milan, Ibrahimovic will be involved in commercial initiatives but not only that, he will participate in projects'”of strategic importance, including the new stadium’.
It was RedBird’s number one who wanted Ibra back in the team. The global influencer, with 123 million followers on social media, will offer his image to the fund’s projects.
It finally starts to be clear. Not as funny today as the announcement yesterday, I was expecting someone to slip on a banana or something.
Operational partner
Zlatan will go to Milanello for pictures when media and fans get crazy after a loss. Also, Zlatan will appear with Jerry at Redbird’s events, like The Rock this summer.
Helping the club
Zlatan will help Scaroni pick his lunch. Zlatan will offer Roback-type players and Raiola© players to Furlani. Cheap, I mean sustainable, of course.
At least Zlatan actually cares about the club so he’s not in it for the money. So I doubt he’d recommend players that get him more candy money instead of a True Baller even if it meant Zlatan wouldn’t get his cut.
How can you be so confident about that?
Yes, Zlatan likes Milan, he said that. He lives here, his sons play here. He enjoyed his time at the club. But he always has been very selfish, in some egotrip. He seems wiser now, but he’s probably here because of the opportunity to make money. Redbird is a Wall Street company, this is the top of the rock for an aspiring businessman. Zlatan always has been a businessman during his career. What some people labelled “mercenary”.
Look at Maldini speaking, “the fans, the club, the city”, it’s not about him. Zlatan is just “good opportunity for ME”. I love him as a player, and I guess his return can fire up the guys, but I really don’t see how we will profit from him in the long-term run. Also, since Jerry is here for only a few years to run his private agenda like some elected president, Zlatan knows his job here will last as long as Jerry is here.
😃😃 Spot on… probably is a reaction to distract from Maldini interview
Whatever position they have for him, Ibra’s presence will be a boost to the team now, as it was during his time as a player. Pioli has nothing to fear. A win tonight will change a lot, even if we do not qualify for the next stage of the Champions League. Most fans have been left disappointed with recent results, but, a lot still have high hopes for the near future. So far, I think, the management deserves a lot of credit, with every move they have made. Welcome back Ibra.
Whatever position they have for him, Ibra’s presence will be a boost to the team now, as it was during his time as a player. Pioli has nothing to fear. A win tomorrow will change a lot, even if we do not qualify for the next stage of the Champions League. Most fans have been left disappointed with recent results, but, a lot still have high hopes for the near future. So far, I think, the management deserves a lot of credit, with every move they have made. Welcome back Ibra.
Pioli has nothing to fear as it’s pretty clear that he’ll need to find a new job next summer. Even Zlatan cannot save his future.
What????
“The Swede’s scope of action also includes ‘player development and training for high performance’, as announced in the appointment press release” …”Ibra will talk to them, many of whom were team-mates until a few months ago, and will support them as he did as a player. Even though he is not a sqyad member, he will be able to go down to the San Siro changing rooms and perhaps speak”
“Will Ibra have his say on the transfer market? Will he be able to suggest the name of a possible next coach? Double yes”
Hold up hold up. So Ibra is going to be in the dressing room and Gerry’s personal advisor at the same time? …so basically…Head Snitch? Hahaha 😂😂😂
Maybe Ibra doesn’t know that the perception of him might change from being a player along side these guys buddy buddying to someone who has the ability to can them as a personal consultant of Gerry