AC Milan’s summer transfer window is reaching a red-hot phase, but it has raised questions about the chain of command.
As Tuttosport write this morning, Igli Tare made his name under Claudio Lotito at Lazio. But there, at least, the hierarchy was very linear. That’s not the case at Milan (yet), despite the disasters wrought last season, and they should have taken counsel.
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Even Massimiliano Allegri – the ‘strongman’ chosen to lead the club back to where it should always be (i.e., the Champions League) – would have immediately sensed that some short-circuiting still exists in the club’s decisions.
This was demonstrated by the words of Giovanni Branchini, his agent, a few nights ago on Sky, when the Jashari soap opera was still gripping transfer market fans.
“Don’t think Max will resign if Jashari doesn’t come to Milan. Are you so sure this is such a firm and insistent request from Allegri? It was proposed and passed the test. I’m not even so sure that everyone within the club is so in agreement on this operation.”
This last statement – said by a FIFA agent who never speaks in vain – seems to be a snapshot of a society where everyone is struggling to move in the same direction.
Who’s really in charge?
It’s no secret that Giorgio Furlani, the club’s CEO, had already been preparing the Ricci deal with Torino this spring with Urbano Cairo.
Allegri, while appreciating the value of a player currently playing for the national team, wanted a midfielder with different characteristics (Granit Xhaka), which caused some stomach ache with Tare.
Then, there is the Mattia Liberali case. Tare had agreed a deal to sell him to Catanzaro for free with a 50% resale clause but it was met by Furlani’s refusal, attracted by the offer from Torino (a club with which, given the Ricci deal, he has an excellent relationship) which was more lucrative for Milan.
It matters little who prevails in the tug-of-war and who is right in the matter with hindsight, but the picture that emerges from this pantomime, unprecedented in Milan’s history, is that of a club with at least two heads on the transfer market (because Allegri also has a say in the matter).
On one side there is Tare, on the other Furlani, who is said to not only guard the club’s wallet and set the budget for various transactions. Thanks to the contacts and friendships cemented in recent years, he wants to direct decisions that, in theory, should be made by the sporting director.
Another chef to be added
As if that weren’t enough, despite his seemingly more marginalised position, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still moving his tentacles, an advisor closely followed by club owner Gerry Cardinale.
The Swede is said to be the sponsor of the idea of bringing Adriano Galliani back to Milan in the role of super-consultant (Director of Football, officially). The key date is September 9th, when the closing between Monza and the new American owners is scheduled to take place.
In the event it goes through, the CEO would be freed from his duties with the Brianza club and could accept the proposal made by Milan’s owner. He would also be an ‘advisor’ linked to RedBird and would be responsible for relations with the institutions.
He would also oversee diplomatic relations with the big clubs, although – given the extremely solid relationships between Galliani and numerous FIFA agents – it’s hard to imagine him not also having a say in the transfer market. Don’t tell Tare, though.
After adding Galliani they can add another manager… maybe that will help🤣🤣
I think if Galliani arrives without a departure, the clock starts ticking on Tare quitting. Too many cooks in the kitchen. Galiani should arrive as a replacement for Furlani, not in addition to, and not even as a superior of. Furlani is the cancer. Scaroni knows nothing about football, he runs the commercial side of the club and is doing that well. He just needs to keep his mouth shut with regard to football matters. Like Cardinale literally has to forbid him from commenting about the footballing side. Furlani is the one that needs to go. Maybe he can be “promoted” to Redbird’s NBA Europe venture.
Agree for what you’ve said
never in million years would I think, I would be he protecting the management…
Vlahovic and quality RB are the only things we need. It’s only the first week of August and we are mostly done… and the Serb in my opinion is just a matter of time
I don’t get the criticism when this year they really stepped up…
Liberalli deal collapsed? and we want to renew the kid? I think that’s just a sane position to have!
Forza Milan!
yeah, having a SD has made wonders for this transfer market but that doesn’t mean I can’t give cr@p to the ownership and management have made huge mistakes the past few seasons…. They are in some deep sh*t since not participating in CL and this is why they are reacting, I still have my conviction that redbird is not ambitious ownership for our beloved club. If they redo this kind of transfer market, after securing a CL spot only then I will start believing they mean business. As always brother, Forza Milan!
There’s a pattern of what to expect from RedBird. A really important aspect to take into consideration sports wise before getting soft over them – don’t get attached to any of the players coming to wear this shirt. Everyone’s got a price tag with RedBird.
It’s all about resale and capital gains and much less about winning. They did it with Tonali, Kalulu, Reijnders and possibly Thiaw. Maintaining the level of consistency this way is nearly impossible.
It’s not only about replacing one quality player with another (which frankly these clowns are uncapable of or at least they were until a month ago) but to build something on a longterm.
I completely agree and I dont trust them one bit but hoping is free of charge and I do think we might be competitive this season since I like the squad. The best thing would be if Redbird manages to build the stadium asap since I think they will sell the club.
Tiji was forced to go to City… poor Milanista, he kept rejecting but the Cardinale put him in a choke-hold…
we blame them for sales when we kept Maignan, Leao, Pulisic…
Theo had the chance to say as Allegri mentioned, he wanted an easy way out… Tonali was the only forced move
no one will leave if we keep on winning, it’s that simple… we are $hit atm and we have to acknowledge that; but Allegri is already fixing that issue, so we should be fine next season
Tiji was forced nowhere – his father is intelligent and got him out of Milan in time. He’s 27. He doesn’t have time to stay “attached” to our imbeciles in charge waiting for ambition. He came to Milan, showcased his skillset, and BOOM. ManCity here we go.
Sarcasm you dunce
Thiaw isn’t fundamental; he is just good at playing from the back…
Kalulu was a blunder, hence Allegri and Tare taking charge and potentially Galliani joining
Tiji is 26 and didn’t want to stay without top competition… there were also rumors that Allegri tried to keep him, like Theo… we aren’t Brugge to force players to stay and I prefer Jashari like player who’s priority is Milan and not other teams!
Thiaw is part of the team and already a well integrated player with still a lot of potential. This preseason the team started well in defensive phase and selling one of potentially integral players in defense to our new coach and buying new one who will need time to settle, is a risk. That’s what I meant about reaching consistency is near impossible.
I too prefer Jashari but considering the pattern of the ownership and if he succeeds, I give him 2 seasons max before he’s shipped out for profit.
That’s two more seasons of contributions than what CDK gave us …
CDK was played out of position and our team’s physical preparation was lacking significantly under Pioli. The frequent injuries are proof of it.
Gasperini mentioned he wasn’t in ideal shape when he arrived. The lack of playing time also contributed to that. We could see against quicker teams like Inter, we were always a step or two behind in pivotal moments. He flourished when he was in a structured and organized team. I’d say the problem was more of a coaching than skill or capability one on the player’s end.
I know we are used to criticism here of the management and rightly so during the disastrous last year and some balant mistakes in the years past but since the Tare took the helm it really seems we are steering in the right direction.
It improved, seemingly so far, too slowly. His appointment and Allegri’s, as well as many acquisitions were far too late.
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