Sky journalist Peppe Di Stefano believes that there are going to be lots of changes to AC Milan in the coming months with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s growing influence.
Speaking to the Radio Rossonera YouTube channel, Di Stefano explained that someone like Ibrahimovic does not come into a role like this unless it is to make some fairly serious changes and shape things in the way that he sees fit.
“It will influence a lot, a lot. In my opinion we will see a different Milan, I don’t know if in people. But it’s clear that if you put Ibra in the club, he wants to make his Milan as well as Cardinale’s. In September it was a passing Milan, but perhaps Cardinale’s first real Milan was the one with Zlatan Ibrahimovic,” Di Stefano said.
He also talked about how many of the younger players will really benefit from having a mentor like Ibrahimovic at the club and in training as he is someone to look up to and learn from.
“I remember when Maldini was sacked, the talk was of an all-round coach… Evidently the element of manager was missing at Milanello. It may be a coincidence, but ever since he’s returned to even experience the Centro Sportivo, to chat and shake hands with the players… It’s a way of cuddling, managers don’t have a magic wand. But sometimes 22, 25 or 28-year-olds need that kind of guidance: Maldini and Massara were, Mirabelli, Galliani, Braida were and right now Ibra. That’s the direction.”
Looking at the bigger picture, Di Stefano explained that the coming months will likely show just what sort of project Gerry Cardinale and Ibrahimovic are trying to build, as there could be a change of coach and the two appear to be very hands-on.
“These will be very particular months, in my opinion. Because from now until the first of July we will certainly see the new Milan of Cardinale and Ibra and it will be a very particular phase. The focus is always on the field, but on the other side you have to understand what will happen in political terms.”
In terms of who really holds the power at Milan, Di Stefano thinks that whilst there may not be a change in personnel in the Milan hierarchy, there could be changes in where the power actually lies, with Ibrahimovic being the one with most to gain.
“I don’t know about personnel, but about relationships of strength. The strength was in the hands of Furlani, Moncada and D’Ottavio. On a sporting level, and I’m making random percentages, it was 50% Furlani, 25% Moncada and 25% D’Ottavio. Now Ibra will take a big slice, and I’m talking about the sporting side, not the financial side. As a result we will see a split, not in a bad way, a Milan that will take care of the financial side and a Milan that will take care of the sporting side. That’s how I expect it. But I don’t have a crystal ball and I can’t even imagine it, because I’ve tried. It’s not that it’s a phase of evolution at a standstill, but with the ball rolling. If there are excellent results it’s possible that the hypothesis of keeping Pioli will also be considered, but in my opinion it will depend solely and exclusively on the field,” he said.
