Massimiliano Mirabelli has once again returned to talk about a number of topics related to his former club AC Milan.
Mirabelli joined Milan back in 2017 when Yonghong Li bought the club from Silvio Berlusconi, and oversaw a transfer campaign which saw Milan bring in a number of high-profile players for over €100million.
He has previously been outspoken about his time with the Rossoneri – such as having an agreement in place to sign Cristiano Ronaldo and the huge fine he gave to Leonardo Bonucci.
Now, a whole two years after leaving the club as Elliott Management seized control from Yonghong Li and fired him, Mirabelli has once again spoken out in an interview with Tuttosport. He was, for once, quite empathetic.
“Had I been in Elliott’s place, I would have done the same thing. When a new owner takes office in a club, he has the right to choose the collaborators he deems most appropriate,” he said (via MilanLive).
On Paolo Maldini, Mirabelli added: “He is working very well. I congratulate everyone and I am happy that the club has retraced its steps, confirming Stefano and no longer thinking of Rangnick. Pioli has earned the right on the pitch to continue to coach Milan.”
The former Rossoneri manager hopes for a new renewal of the contract for Gianluigi Donnarumma and is happy to have signed him in 2017.
“I am convinced that Milan and Donnarumma will make every effort to continue together along a path that will be paved with successes,” he continued.
“I say he’s worth 100 million and I’m not exaggerating. I am happy that it was me, three years ago, who convinced him to stay with the Rossoneri. Let’s say that this was the best gift I could have given to Milan.”
Mirabelli is also proud to see two players resurgent in Hakan Calhanoglu and Franck Kessie, the duo signed by him in the summer of 2017.
“Calhanoglu was a deal I’m proud of. I was sure he would break through: in Pioli he found the ideal coach to enhance his qualities. And then there is Kessie, back on Atalanta levels that led us to buy the card.”
The Calabrian manager is also convinced that Zlatan Ibrahimovic should be kept by Milan.
“Yes, without a doubt. The Swede is the leader that the team has been missing since the Nesta and Gattuso generation retired.”
