AC Milan president Paolo Scaroni has set the year that he wants the new stadium to open, while he also spoke on the potential return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the positive news from the 2022-23 accounts.
It has been a whirlwind few months for Milan on and off the field, as Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara left their positions as directors in June with a new management formed, then 10 summer signings followed after Sandro Tonali’s club-record sale.
The season started well with seven wins in the first eight games in Serie A, but the defeats against Inter and Juventus plus the one in the Champions League against PSG and the draw with Napoli (from 2-0 up) means enthusiasm has been cooled.
Scaroni spoke during an interview with MilanNews in which he discussed a number of topics from the stadium project in San Donato to the difficult moment that Stefano Pioli and the team are going through.
Milan are working on the San Donato hypothesis for the construction of the new stadium. How is the dialogue with the Council proceeding? Is there any confidence that the first match can be played in 2028?
“For over four years, we have embarked on a journey to provide our Club with one of the best stadiums in the world, capable of accompanying us towards a winning and sustainable future.
“In September we took a first formal step by presenting to the Council of San Donato Milanese a proposal for a PII Variation for the area called ‘San Francesco’ and we are now awaiting developments.
“We want to build the most beautiful stadium in the world and in our plans the first match will be at the beginning of the 2028-2029 season.”
Let’s also clarify the concerns of some citizens in the area where the new stadium could be built: what doesn’t the facility in San Donato include?
“First of all, our proposal does not include an increase in volume compared to the Intervention Plan already approved in 2021, which remains 108,100m². However, the usable green areas will increase considerably, going from approximately 80,000 to 235,000m².
“In the areas pertaining to the South Milan Agricultural Park there will be no above-ground construction, but only permeable green parking lots. However, it is not envisaged that on-street parking will be used in the residential centre of San Donato Milanese or in the Chiaravalle area, while the safety of the entire area will be guaranteed by the use of innovative control and monitoring systems, both inside and outside the stadium.”
We recently read inaccuracies about the volumes of the stadium in San Donato. Can you clarify for readers?
“The data communicated and present in the filed document unequivocally state that:
– In terms of overall development indices, compared to the 108,100m² SL envisaged by the PII approved in 2021, the variation request affects the same 108,100m² SL, all located in the same original area called ‘San Francesco’ of a total of 300,000m²;
– The new proposal involves an increase in the intervention area of 160,000m² in which no buildings will be built, but rather provide a park accessible to the public and services (level green car parks and cycle paths), which in the new project presented increase by almost triple the total usable greenery, which would therefore go from 80,000m² to 235,000m².
There are those who still talk about it, could they re-iterate why it is not advisable to renovate the San Siro stadium?
“As already underlined many times, the renovation of the Meazza is impossible: from a practical point of view, between the season, national and international cups, Milan and Inter play such a number of matches at San Siro as to make it impracticable to carry out heavy works in that stadium, while within a useful distance there are no alternative facilities suitable to host us on a temporary basis.
“That said, we need a new, innovative stadium that allows a unique experience for spectators and that guarantees the revenues necessary to keep the club among the elite of European football, to project us towards the future that Milan deserves.”
The new facility is a big priority for Gerry Cardinale. How involved is he in this project?
“The new stadium is very important in RedBird’s strategic vision, for Milan’s growth on and off the pitch. Gerry Cardinale, with RedBird, can boast great experience in the construction of new facilities and has chosen two international excellences such as CAA ICON and MANICA for the design and construction of the new Milan stadium.
“The development of the project is led by Tim Romani, who during his professional career has coordinated the construction of iconic facilities such as Allegiant Stadium, the home of the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Chase Center, which hosts the Golden State games Warriors in the NBA.
“The involvement of these world-class experts is the clearest proof of the ownership’s desire to have a top-level project for our new stadium.”
We keep reading about Ibrahimovic’s possible return to Milan, could it happen?
“At the moment there is no relevant news. For our part, we have always shown him great respect and affection: personally it is always a pleasure to meet him and talk to him. As they say in English: time will tell.”
Pioli is not going through a simple moment, are you always at the coach’s side?
“First of all, we must always remain alongside Milan: this means continuing to support not only the coach, but also his entire staff and the team, especially at this time when I am reading exaggerated criticism. We must remain united and work with a positive spirit.
“On the other hand, after 10 days of the league season, with a calendar judged by everyone to be very demanding, we have obtained 22 points and are in the top positions in the rankings. Furthermore, I am used to judging the work of professionals and managers based on the results at the end of the season.
“And I would like to remind you that the performances of recent years, of which Stefano Pioli was the protagonist, have given great satisfaction to all our fans.”
The accounts yielded a profit for the first time in 17 years, is the next step to reach €500m in annual revenues?
“The budget just approved is the clearest evidence that combining sporting performance, international competitiveness and financial sustainability in football, within a virtuous path, is possible.
“When I became president of Milan, we had revenues of less than 200 million. Now we have managed to double them and we want to continue growing, since revenues are the fuel that fuels our entire organisation, allowing us to invest in the sporting component.
“These objectives have been achieved through the constant support of the owners, the work of all the club’s management, and thanks to the sporting results we have achieved in recent years.”
