Why was Paolo Maldini fired as AC Milan’s technical director following a’strategy’ discussion with club owner?

Paolo Maldini has been fired as AC Milan’s technical director, while Ricky Massara has also been let go at the San Siro.

Cardinale, a club legend, is now calling the shots.
Behind-the-scenes alterations
WHAT OCCURED? According to Calciomercato, the Rossoneri are making significant changes behind the scenes. The choices were made during a meeting between directors and club owner Gerry Cardinale on Monday.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: That meeting is alleged to have been quick, with RedBird CEO Cardinale deciding to break ways with Maldini and Massara. The two had been in charge of transfers and contract negotiations, but a disagreement over recruiting strategy and investment in new players is alleged to have resulted in reorganization at the top of the Serie A powerhouse.

ADDITIONALLY, Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani took the lead during contract discussions with Rafael Leao, with the Portugal international now committed to new terms, and that power struggle is said to have led to Maldini’s departure. Issues in the department are claimed to date back to 2019, when Furlani and former chief executive Ivan Gazidis attempted to persuade Ralf Rangnick to become the club’s next manager, but Maldini and ex-CFO Zvonimir Boban objected, prompting the latter to resign.

HOW THEY SAID IT: “AC Milan announces that Paolo Maldini concludes his role at the Club, effective June 5, 2023,” Milan said in a statement on Tuesday. We applaud him for his years of service in the position, which helped the club return to the Champions League and win the Scudetto in 2021/22. His day-to-day responsibilities will be handled by a team that will work closely with the first team manager and eventually report to the CEO.”

WHAT COMES NEXT? Maldini has spent his whole career with Milan, both as a player and as a director, and fans will be saddened to see another club hero go. Furlani, on the other hand, is set to take on more responsibility with head scout Geoffrey Moncada, while Igli Tare, who will not be renewing his contract as director of sport at Lazio, might be recruited in.