AC Milan are exploring the idea of giving Jovan Kirovski a role in the management, and he is a figure that Zlatan Ibrahimovic knows well.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ibrahimovic immediately received an assist from Gerry Cardinale, who has trusted him to lead Milan heading into the summer.
His first move could be to hire Kirovski, a former LA Galaxy manager, and entrust him with ‘a top role in the club’s sporting area’. The contacts have been going on for a while, Kirovski has already been in Milan and probably also followed the matches from the stands.
The first contacts between Kirovski and Ibrahimovic go further back. Together they have already concluded a deal: March 3, 2018, when Zlatan was announced as a new player for the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Ibra went to conquer America, convinced by the conditions offered by coach Kirovski’s Galaxy and the relationship began there. In the meantime, Ibrahimovic has since become Cardinale’s right-hand man and Kirovski left his desk in Los Angeles.
The Swede would like the rest of the story to be written in Milan: he would like Kirovski alongside him as a reference figure in the sporting area, believing that he has the knowledge and the experience to help him.
Jovan is certainly a man of the field: he was a footballer, raised in the youth sector of Manchester United and then playing around Europe at Dortmund, Sporting CP, Crystal Palace and Birmingham City before ending his career with the Galaxy.
It was in LA that he then began his career as a manager. He still has no experience in Italian or European football but he could join the Rossoneri ahead a summer that promises to be very lively in terms of decisions to be made, from the coach to the transfer market.
The sporting area would thus undergo an initial change, in line with Cardinale’s requests. Today the role of technical director is entrusted to Geoffrey Moncada, previously chief scout, so the arrival of Kirovski would inevitably lead to changing some hierarchies.
Ibrahimovic has become increasingly influential in practice. He is a regular presence at Milanello and in the stands, he participated with Cardinale in the Football Summit in London and yesterday he attended the Arabian GP, where Gerry himself was expected.
However, we know that Ibra, in his absence, can be the voice of Milan. Presence and words aside (two days ago Zlatan expressed his backing of Stefano Pioli), Ibra is now called to action.
On the pitch the most difficult moves were his specialty, while as a manager he is still in his early stages. Kirovski would be one of the figures chosen to accompany him, even if there is an ocean between MLS and Serie A.
Jovan Kirovski might be best buds with Ibra, but he never played at a high level or otherwise demonstrated a high level of added value to a team. Despite the impressive sounding list of places he was at, he never broke through as a starter anywhere in Europe, never even made it as a regular starter for the USMNT, never made it to a World Cup roster (which wouldn’t have been that hard in 1998, 2002, and 2006).
My memory of him is that he was considered to be a free spirit and lazy, talented enough to be a bench warmer in Europe and a starter in MLS, but never reaching his potential.
He and Ibra were probably kindred spirits at the LA Galaxy, as the rest of the Galaxy’s management did not look upon Ibra’s antics favorably.
Ibra, though, had 1000x the talent and drive to win that Kirovski had.
Seriously doubt that Kirovski would have much to add other than being Ibra’s BFF and drinking buddy
Time will tell. Obviously, no one really knows what kind of manager he is. Besides never held an office in europe. At this point, it’s kind of early to judge him. Maybe he is good at that position or the opposite. Definetly too early to judge.
You’re right! What a good job we’re not hiring him to play football.
You say kirovski never played at a high level. That statement alone shows your lack of knowledge. At age 18 he was one of the top young prospects in the world that attracted the attention of Sir Alex at Man U! Then to dortmund and played during there champions league run. He’s a player that never reached his potential. His football knowledge is wise beyond his years and I’m sure that is why a legend like Zlatan is looking for him to be on his side at this legendary club! I’m sure Zlatan and Jovan will make a Winning combo and will to Great! Only time will tell!
This article sounds like it was written by AI.