Gerry Cardinale, the owner of AC Milan, may attend Sunday’s match against Cagliari and remain in the city to begin discussions with club officials regarding the upcoming season. This comes with the hope of securing Champions League qualification in front of a home crowd, which would significantly impact the club’s summer plans as it moves away from the financial control of Elliott Management.
Cardinale is known as a decisive leader, having previously made difficult decisions such as the dismissal of Paolo Maldini. However, he must now carefully evaluate what worked and what didn’t over recent seasons, particularly from a sporting perspective. The club’s financial mandate remains consistent: to be self-sufficient and maintain balanced accounts, a goal Giorgio Furlani has achieved through over ninety transfer operations and a focus on player trading.
The primary focus will be on how to reinvest profits to make the team more competitive, building a solid structure that allows the club to reject offers for key players, similar to Inter’s approach. A recent meeting in London between Cardinale, Furlani, Calvelli, Ibrahimovic, and Montini did not result in immediate changes. Calvelli is expected to continue overseeing RedBird’s European investments, potentially assisting with Milan, while Ibrahimovic does not appear eager to assume a prominent role in club management.
Ibrahimovic’s absence from a recent match in Genoa has raised questions. Should Cardinale pursue the appointment of Massimiliano Allegri as manager, a decision regarding Ibrahimovic’s role as Senior Advisor will be necessary, given the irreparable breakdown in their relationship following a recent dispute and perceived interference with players. Allegri has reportedly outlined a sporting plan for the club, but may consider a potential offer from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) to manage the national team if he feels his recommendations are being ignored.
Important weeks lie ahead for Milan, with Cardinale needing to prioritize internal unity and the club’s overall interests over personal agendas. He must also demonstrate an understanding that a shift in approach is needed to reverse the team’s fortunes and deliver the victories desired by the fans.
