AC Milan fans have once again found themselves asking questions about the ownership, more specifically the presence of Gerry Cardinale.
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As La Gazzetta dello Sport writes, the most recent public traces date back to a few days ago, when the news of the acquisition of the historic The Telegraph by RedBird Capital came out. In the news story, Cardinale spoke about the purchase.
“The aim is to grow the brand in the UK and internationally, invest in its technology and expand its subscriber base,” the RedBird chief said. It came after offer of almost €600m which, as he added, is ‘the largest investment in the British press sector in the last ten years’.
It is known that Cardinale loves to diversify investments and, as in the case of Milan, he often and willingly turns his gaze to the East of the Atlantic. On the other hand, it has been clear from the beginning that the Rossoneri are one of assets, and not necessarily – at least, not always – top of the list of priorities.
Crucial next moves
In a very complex moment where the actions of the Rossoneri ownership have ended up in the crosshairs of the fans, the supporters are wondering what will happen.
What will be the moves that the number one of RedBird (who obviously has every interest in Milan doing well) will make? What will be the methods and strategies through which they will try to restart a Diavolo sunk twelve points below compared to the previous season, and without Europe?
This is the real blow to the heart of Cardinale, and not only for the usual reasons of financial sustainability, given the accounts closing at the end of June will record a moderate loss after the recent profits.
A team without European visibility – and, in turn, worldwide given the approximately millions of fans scattered across the various continents – is the antithesis of the global development plan of the brand undertaken by the entrepreneur from the very beginning.
Roles to define
Cardinale took note (well before it ended) of a failed season from a sporting perspective and moved to provide different guidelines. Starting with the search for the sporting director, a role that had been abolished and then reinstated in light of its evident indispensability (at least in an Italian context).
Gerry himself, between February and March, met in person with Ibrahimovic several candidates for the role, including Tare. The other input from the ownership is related to the degree of ‘Italianness’, or the need – also in this case found in facts – to increase that specific quota.
Milan will shift towards the entry of figures born in Italy or, as in the case of Tare, those who know Italian football well. This applies to the management, but it also applies (and above all) to the team. Starting with the coach, as is clear from the names currently in the mix.
Another aspect that Cardinale will have to clarify in peremptory and definitive terms concerns the balance of power within the management. Balances that have become more and more delicate over the months, obviously not helped by the lack of results.
It starts with the figure of Ibrahimovic, who he defined as his eyes and his emanation at Casa Milan and Milanello, but who also ended up in the meat grinder of a season where no one is free of guilt and responsibility.
Stadium
Finally, there is the evolution of the process on the new stadium, a crucial factor for hypothesising any future scenario when it comes to Cardinale potentially selling the club down the line.
Milan and Inter have accelerated by returning to work together on San Siro and this time delays are not contemplated since in the first half of November the constraint on the second tier of the current stadium will come into force.
The clubs and the Council have given themselves the indicative deadline for the sale of the end of July and we will see if Cardinale will return in person to Milan to take care of it.
The last time he was at Milanello dates back to August 26, in the stands for a match (in Madrid) on November 5, while on April 18 there was supposed to be a blitz in Milan – never officially confirmed – for a summit with Furlani and Ibra. A sporadic presence, which the trend of the season has not encouraged.