The AC Milan ownership are ‘not satisfied’ with the way that this season has gone so far, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to have a big say in what will become a very important summer.
Unless Milan go all the way in the Europa League and lift the trophy in Dublin, it looks as though 2023-24 will mark another campaign without silverware and that is something that must play on the minds of Gerry Cardinale and co.
Not only that, but the gap to city rivals Inter has opened up to a chasm, both in terms of points (there is a 16-point gap to the Nerazzurri) but also after the five derby defeats last year including the 5-1 in the first league meeting this season.
Anto Vitiello has written his weekly news column for MilanNews and he has confirmed that what filters from the upper management at Milan is far from positive, adding a bit about the influence Zlatan will have.
“We approach the end of the current season with great curiosity. On the one hand, Milan still have the chance to fight for a trophy, and therefore from a sporting point of view the Rossoneri are still in the running to win something, but on the other hand, we await the end of the year to modify and improve Milan through important decisions,” he said.
“The ownership is not satisfied with the results and how some situations were managed at Milanello during the year, the reference is entirely towards the injury issue, and this is why we expect changes in view of the summer.
“Zlatan Ibrahimovic will also be at the centre of the project, in this new life as a manager. The former Rossoneri player was publicly crowned by Gerry Cardinale, and several decisions will revolve around the figure of the Swede in the summer.
“Ibra is the voice of the American owner at Milanello, Cardinale’s intermediary. He is a high-ranking figure and he will have full powers. On the other hand, Zlatan has already been active for three months and holds daily talks with players, coaches and staff.
“He follows the team at the stadium home and away, as happened in Rennes where he was the only representative of the owners. But in the summer he will also have a say in the transfer market and the choice of coach.
“Ibra will give his technical advice to Moncada and D’Ottavio, who remain active in their sectors with trips throughout Europe to hunt for talent. Or he will help Giorgio Furlani (the only one at the club with signature power on purchases) during the negotiations, explaining to the identified player the importance of choosing the Milan project.
“In short, it is a new life for Zlatan and the weight of responsibility will also increase for him over the course of these weeks.”