Paolo Scaroni has admitted that he has faced some difficulties as AC Milan’s president, but remains confident in a top four finish.
Scaroni has been the president of Milan since 2018 and was appointed following the takeover by Elliott Management. He continued his role after the subsequent ownership change to RedBird Capital, and has become known as the figurehead of the new stadium project.
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Milan find themselves in a complicated situation, one in which the Scudetto dream has turned into a battle just to keep a Champions League spot. In all of this there are rumours of disagreements inside the management as well as the possibility that Massimiliano Allegri could leave after one season.
‘It has been a difficult week’
Scaroni spoke at the Il Foglio Sportivo event on Thursday and he made some comments on Milan’s ownership, the stadium project and the targets for the season.
Who should be the new FIGC president?
“Malagò is the right choice: he has dedicated his life to sport and has managed the CONI world in an exemplary way.
“I was in Lausanne when the Winter Olympic Games were awarded, and without him we would not have obtained them. We must also face a cultural change; he is a wise choice and I voted for him with conviction.”
There is more foreign ownership in Serie A now, can RedBird offer expertise?
“My job as AC Milan president is made more difficult by the need to translate Italy’s system to a foreign owner, because it takes us six and a half years, for example, to build a stadium.
“Our bureaucratic procedures, the regulations for electing the FIGC president, the percentage of votes, the weight of each component… it is a demanding task for those of us who interact with shareholders. My main advantage is that my shareholder is highly knowledgeable about sport and a great enthusiast.”
Is there progress on the stadium front?
“San Siro is now owned by the clubs, which represents a fundamental milestone. We have taken an essential step forward. Everything is proceeding in a reasonable way. I hope to soon be able to present the façade of the new stadium and the project itself.
“It is such an important work for the city that it must receive the approval of all citizens. We must make a decision and present the project, certainly before the summer.
“Milan and Inter have similar needs: in other cities this similarity does not exist, while here we have been aligned from day one, precisely because we share the same requirements.”
Are you confident about getting back into the Champions League?
“It has been a difficult week, and after Saturday I am not very happy. I remain confident that we will achieve the only objective stated by everyone at the start of the season: qualification for the Champions League.”
“The Scudetto would have been very welcome. I have a lot of sympathy for Sassuolo and their stadium because we won the title there. I never deluded myself: between mathematics and performances, the Champions League objective is essential, and we cannot imagine Milan not being part of the international stage.”
RedBird offers “expertise”…
Watch Allegri leave, completely disenchanted having understood what this club is about. Tare is irrelevant at any rate, and RedBird’s anything-but-sporting-ambition expertise continues disrupting Milan. We move on to the next coaching pawn, next batch of irrelevant players after having sold another mainstay (probably Puli – if his agent is intelligent he’ll tell Chris to move on).
And on and on every year, same scenario. I don’t honestly even have any hope for the next mercato. And the fact we’re linked to the likes of Vlahovic or Goretzka is further proof.