Less than 24 hours after the conclusion of the final game of the 2022-23 season, the next campaign has already been thrust into serious doubt.
MilanNews writes how after Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s farewell to football at San Siro, there may be more tears shed yet. Gerry Cardinale has decided to fire Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara from their position as technical and sporting director.
There is still no official announcement, but the decision has now been made. Yesterday morning, Cardinale met Maldini in a hotel in the centre of Milan, but there was no discussion between the two.
Instead, the RedBird Capital founder simply communicated to the club legend that there is no longer a place for him in the RedBird-branded Milan and that – together with Massara – he would have to pack up his things.
It was a decision without appeal, a full-fledged dismissal despite the results (three Champions League qualifications, a Scudetto win and a Champions League semi-final) suggesting that the project led by the Maldini-Massara duo was achieving everything asked of it.
The decision was not the result of a sudden change of strategy, but is the result of numerous differences between the parties that have been known for several months now.
Even in the past season Maldini and Massara risked leaving and only stayed because they renewed their contract on the final night before expiry, but they had remained at the helm via a compromise with the administrative part of the management.
It is a compromise that then failed with the subsequent and disappointing summer transfer window and the different ambitions of the parties for the near future.
In all likelihood, Giorgio Furlani – the current CEO – and scout chief Geoffrey Moncada will now have more power. Milan are bound for revolution.
I dare hope that Cardinale has something clear in his mind to replace the duo Maldini/Massara.
“I dare hope that Cardinale has something clear in his mind to replace the duo Maldini/Massara”
Sure! It is as clear as mud..
Every club in the world would love to have a director like Maldini in a heartbeat. Beside the unquestionable intelligent about football and management in general, he knows the club and its culture inside out.
He’s also capable on being the club ambassador to attract talents based on his worldly reputation. Basically you get so much more than just an administrative director. You get someone who’s willing to do basically anything to see his club succeed. Well maybe that includes seeing himself out from the equation.
Such a shame the owner doesn’t see that.
Furthermore, Maldini was able to convince players to sign for low wages.
How will Furlani/Cardinale do that? They don’t have other things to offer for the players.
Things were already weird after the match against Verona as Cardinale didn’t enter the pitch during Zlatan’s Godbye.
An accountant will have more power on sport related matters?
Sounds great!
American capitalists, wherever they go they bring chaos whilst they are busy looting, football is no longer a passion because of these guys, its all about making millions now, no heart anymore, its pointless to keep supporting the clubs passionately, gone are the days when clubs were owned by their true fans, now they are owned by capitalists, now I understand why authorities and residents are resisting the idea of a new stadium, its all real estate business, not for the love of football, they came to italy thinking they will make money, they have realised that football in italy doesnt bring in any money, its just a game of passion, soon they will start selling the top players, thats the only way they can make money, the real project has arrived now
He has in mind a technical director who won’t complain about Redbird’s pathetic annual transfer budget.
Gerry can literally go F#.k himself!
He knows nothing about football or AC Milan!
How dare he touch Maldini. Maldini is Milan!
Last summer was a disaster and that started with the owners. Sure M&M have made mistakes too.
However, you respect and keep a legend like Maldini to be a figurhead.
We just go from 1 crisis to another. Now the likes of Theo, Mike, Leao etc are all furious and may leave. Not to mention how this will affect our ability to attract players!
As fans we need to seriously think about what AC Milan stands for and where we want to see them.
I for one will consider joining any protest/boycott against these owners.
This is not our club anymore
This will be a disaster. Cardinale OUT, Redbird OUT
Cardinale OUT,Redbird OUT
Cardinale OUT, Rebird OUT, Elliot OUT
What the fvck?!
Cardinale, are you out of your mind?!
I Believe RedBird have Nade A very Fatal Mistake by Sacking Paolo Maldini and Massara, They only asked for extra funds to improve our Team .That’s it All the Hard work done and Cardinale n Redbird are reaping the Benefits .😡
No Milan Fans will be happy with this outcome personally I’d of sacked Cardinale and Redbird , absolutely Clueless.
ALL MILAN FANS LETS PROTEST N OUST OUT CARDINALE & REDBIRD!!!!!!!!!!
FANS
Maldini has given his life to Milan and it’s fans. It’s time for the fans to support him
Unfollow their social media accounts
Don’t buy season tickets
PLAYERS
All first team players hand in a transfer request
Respect our club!
Maldini is Milan
Logically, Scaroni should leave too to complete it. But he’s been put there by Elliot. Makes the whole sale questionable in the first place
Now that I’ve slept on this I think I see why Cardinale fired M. It’s because he was becoming too powerful and he needed yes men around him. With M being so powerful it’s like a conduit between the fan’s feelings and expectations and the club as others here have pointed out Maldini is like the soul of AC Milan. Cardinale is hoping this blows over early in the summer in preparation for next summer. I don’t know the extent of how the ultras and the players are going to react but truth be told their voices are too small for Cardinale. The jabs M were giving at him in interviews are what Cardinale didn’t like as it affects his ego.
I’ll support whoever is running Milan as a fan but you don’t go about what they did..that was not in good taste for what Maldini represented for Milan.