AC Milan are in the midst of a complex search for a new manager, with the process thrown into further uncertainty by the demands of Ralf Rangnick, according to reports from Italian media. The club dismissed Massimiliano Allegri following a disappointing fifth-place finish, and initially pursued Xabi Alonso and Vincenzo Maresca, but were unable to secure either appointment.
Andoni Iraola, formerly of Bournemouth, emerged as a leading candidate, but has reportedly paused on accepting Milan’s offer while considering opportunities with Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen. A decision from Iraola is expected imminently, though a potential family concern previously cited as a barrier to a move to Italy may not be a factor, with Leverkusen also in contention.
Milan owner Gerry Cardinale, along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and chief scout Geoffrey Moncada, initiated a sweeping overhaul of the club’s structure on Monday, dismissing several key figures. While the decision to remove those involved in the recent failings is understandable, the lack of a pre-arranged replacement for the manager has left Milan scrambling. The club risks being forced to settle for less desirable options or make compromises that could impact the upcoming season.
Cardinale and Ibrahimovic met with Rangnick in Vienna, offering him the position of technical director. However, Rangnick has requested complete autonomy over all footballing matters, including the appointment of a sporting director and manager, as well as control over the youth sector. He also intends to bring a team of at least ten collaborators with him. This request is currently under consideration by Milan, and Rangnick is awaiting a response before travelling to the United States. Should Rangnick’s demands be met, Matthias Jaissle, currently managing Al-Ahli, and Oliver Glasner, recently victorious in the Europa Conference League with Crystal Palace, are considered frontrunners for the managerial position, both having previously worked under Rangnick.
Alternative options being explored include Mauricio Pochettino, currently managing the United States national team, and former Milan players Xavi Hernandez, Thiago Motta, and Mark van Bommel. Vincenzo Italiano, previously identified as a potential candidate by former CEO Giorgio Furlani, is also under consideration, though it is questionable whether Cardinale and Ibrahimovic would pursue a manager favored by their predecessor.
