AC Milan are considering the appointment of George Gardi as a director of football, according to reports in Italy. The club is still searching for a head of football and a sporting director four weeks after Gerry Cardinale’s investment in the club’s management structure, with both positions currently unfilled.
Recent attempts to secure Markus Krösche and Timmo Hardung from Eintracht Frankfurt appear to have stalled, increasing the likelihood of current staff members Jovan Kirovski and Bobby Gardiner taking on greater responsibility in building the squad alongside incoming manager Ruben Amorim. However, Milan are also seeking an experienced figure to add to the organizational chart required by the Italian football authorities, leading to interest in Domenico Teti, formerly of Wolverhampton, Novara and Sampdoria.
Gardi has emerged as a prominent candidate in recent days, having served as Galatasaray’s transfer consultant for the past four years. During his time with the Turkish club, he oversaw high-profile signings including Victor Osimhen, Mauro Icardi, Leroy Sané, Hachim Ziyech, and Dries Mertens. He also acted as an intermediary in previous deals such as Marek Hamsik’s move to Trabzonspor and Samuel Eto’o’s transfer to Antalyaspor. Gardi’s extensive network of contacts and deep understanding of the transfer market could accelerate both incoming and outgoing player negotiations.
While Gardi is a strong contender, the roles of agents Jorge Mendes and Antero Henrique – the latter being Ruben Amorim’s brother-in-law – are also being considered. There have been no recent developments in discussions with Devin Ozek, the former sporting director of Fenerbahçe, who remains on the shortlist presented to Cardinale and Massimo Calvelli. Former Milan sporting director Igli Tare recently expressed his hope that the club finds “equilibrium and a serious project for the future” amid the ongoing uncertainty.
An alternative scenario being discussed involves Milan opting for an internal solution to allow Krösche and Hardung to complete the summer transfer window with Eintracht Frankfurt, potentially revisiting their pursuit in September. However, negotiations with the German club have proven difficult, and a successful outcome remains uncertain.
