AC Milan’s former technical director Leonardo has shared his thoughts on the departure of Paolo Maldini and the direction of the Rossoneri’s project. Although admitting that he’s biased, he expressed great support for the club legend.
Leonardo was appointed the technical director of Milan when Elliott Management took over the club from Yonghong Li in 2018. While his spell wasn’t successful, signing the likes of Lucas Paqueta and Krzysztof Piatek for a lot of money, he did help Maldini ease into his role.
When Leonardo left in 2019, Maldini took his role and managed to build a positive project, along with Ivan Gazidis and Zvone Boban. Speaking to the Supernova podcast, Leonardo shared his thoughts on Milan’s current project and the one of Maldini.
“I’m biased, I’m a good friend of Paolo. I have known him for 25 years. I certainly see everything with a positive eye. But Paolo and Milan… These stories are very rare. But it’s not just for that. Not only did he have a brilliant career as a player, Paolo in five years – and I was there when we returned to Milan with Elliott – managed to create such a positive environment.
“Suddenly, they managed to fight for everything they previously couldn’t, and it put everyone in the same boat: he won a Scudetto and reached the semi-final of the Champions League. It’s not just the results, it’s also the way it was done. People were involved in the project, it was a healthy thing,” he stated.
Milan are currently in deep waters, sitting in eighth place, and missing out on the Champions League is a concrete risk. A lot of the progress made in the last few years would be eliminated by such an outcome, which would be far from good.
Sudah saatnya Cardinale Pergi dari Manajemen Milan. Milan di Kelola Si Amerika,kurang bermutu dan Jauh dari Gelar Juara. GANTI SI AMERIKA DAN PENGURUSNYA DI MILAN.
Leonardo is 💯💯💯💯💯 correct
Don’t speak facts Leo, we don’t want common sense here.
If it isn’t broken don’t fix it, if it can be better improve it. They tried to reinvent the wheel for the sake of profits and got bit for it. We had FFP regulations in our favour that would allow us to add to our team and keep our stars without selling or losing them for free. 60 million euros in losses over 3 years to be exact. Yet they tied Maldini’s hands by failing to increase our wage caps and transfer budget when we were in a winning cycle, with ageing players in attavk coming to the end of the road, without replacements in the pipeline. They were shortsighted and he saw the writing on the wall, then was condemned for it. The minute he was let go, I knew it would downspiral fast because it showed they lacked ambition and vision.
Maldini was not perfect with all his signings and negotiations. But no sporting director is perfect. What happened concerning contract renewals and signings who didn’t fulfill their potential, happens at every club. Maldini did great with few resources. Meanwhile the current bums cannot reach top 4 after spending 100 million. But what do I know, I am a delusional Maldini fan hehehe
Leo joins the doom and gloom squad. But it did not ever make sence to fire Maldini.
He’s right, we’re in 8th now, pathetic.
Maldini and co won with much lower budget, compared to other big teams. Yet some people here unfairly criticize him after Milan spent loads (following Tonali’s sale). I am sire these guys are eating their words now. Kessie and Donna leaving for free wasn’t his fault. Raising salary much more than other team members create animosity and also not sustainable. Maldini was much better and beneficial than Zlatan, who is only there to talk big.
Redbird and Gerry are the WORST Milan management in my lifetime of 36 years. Far worse than the Chinese who inherited a broken team and Gerry inheriting scudetto champions and a healthy balance sheet thanks to Elliott/Maldini etc. Absolute disgrace.
Hate it or love it, but the club needs a new maldini. Whether his name actually is Maldini or not, I don’t care but we need someone to fix this cr@p Cardinale has created.
Cardinale and his p00p-troop (aka The Three Stooges).
This site and the fans that sook and whine on it are garb.