The newspaper columns were awash with rumours of Adriano Galliani’s potential return to AC Milan, but in recent weeks things have gone quiet.
Matteo Moretto reiterated his belief a just over one month ago that Galliani’s Milan comeback is just a matter of time. The journalist spoke of a verbal pact being in place with the ownership, and that only the sale of Monza was required to get things moving.
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That sale – from Fininvest (the Berlusconi family) to the American fund Beckett Layne Ventures – was made official three weeks ago. Galliani’s tenure as CEO of his hometown team came to an end, in theory freeing him to try other adventures.
Galliani to Milan: Radio silence
So, what is going on? Calciomercato.com confirm that Monza’s new owners offered him the role of club president, one that he politely declined. It is ‘probably because he was convinced that the handshake with Gerry Cardinale would soon translate into contracts to be signed’.
From that day until now, little or nothing has happened. There’s been no firm news from the Casa Milan offices regarding Galliani’s return, but neither has there been any denial, a clear sign that negotiations are still fluid.
Massimiliano Allegri and Zlatan Ibrahimovic would be happy to return to working closely with their friend Galliani, but it’s not entirely up to them. Everything revolves around the role Galliani should assume in this potential second stint at Milan.
The experienced executive can’t return home to simply perform representative duties: he was envisioned as a super-advisor to the ownership, given that the CEO and President positions are firmly in place for Giorgio Furlani and Paolo Scaroni.
Haste is always a bad counsellor, and there’s still plenty of time to find the best solution, but at present, there’s little certainty about Galliani’s return to Milan.
Everything is starting to run well on its own.
Furlani, as always, has the commercial aspect in decent shape, and also he’s no longer as dominant a force on the sporting decisions (thankfully). Gerry finally figured out that an actual sporting director was needed. And the SD then proceeded to hire a competent coach or at least one which matches the level of the squad and it’s potential. So that begs the question where exactly does Galliani fit in? Seems to me he might be duplicating Tate’s role. He may have a Rolodex of contacts but do we really need to go back in the past like that? I’d prefer new ideas tbh.
Stay a fan G or finally retire and enjoy life lol 😂
I don’t think he would overlap with Tare at this point. Given his experience and the roles he’s played in the last 15 years or so, I think he’d more direct clash with Furlani. And that’s exactly where I’d want Galliani too, as club CEO. I think you’re slightly wrong when it comes to crediting Furlani with the commercial aspect. I think Scaroni is mostly responsible for that. On the other hand, Furlani was overseeing the footballing side and has probably taken on a more senior manager role since giving up active player management to Tare (a good thing, as you point out). This is precisely where Galliani would be most useful, plus his political connections around football (think stadium, UEFA, FIFA, etc.). So unless Furlani departs, which does not seem likely in the immediate future, I don’t think he will have space at Milan. So our conclusions are the same, but from different angles. 🙂
Everybody should move when Galliani is coming back! There is no one better than Adriano, and they should be happy to work with him and learn from him, first hand. His competence is out of question and if he wants to come back he should be able to pick any position he wants and no one should say a damn thing. Capisci?