Oliver Glasner is currently holding off on other offers, including one from Feyenoord, as he awaits clarity regarding the managerial position at Milan. According to reports in Italy, the former Crystal Palace manager is the leading candidate to replace Massimiliano Allegri, but his appointment is contingent on the club first securing a new technical director.
Milan are taking a measured approach to restructuring their technical area following a disappointing season that saw them miss out on Champions League qualification. Gerry Cardinale, the owner of RedBird Capital, prioritizes appointing a director of football before finalizing the head coach position. Ralf Rangnick is currently the frontrunner for that role, having previously worked with Glasner at Red Bull Salzburg.
Glasner recently led Crystal Palace to victory in the Conference League final, adding to his reputation as a capable manager. He has reportedly made his conditions clear to Milan and is awaiting a response. Should Rangnick not be appointed, Ramon Planes, formerly of Espanyol, Tottenham, and Barcelona, is considered the primary alternative for the technical director position. Planes’ arrival could potentially shift the focus towards Mauricio Pochettino as a potential managerial candidate, as the two have a pre-existing professional relationship.
The situation is complicated by the fact that Rangnick has a strong and defined footballing philosophy, while Glasner is more focused on the overall structure and culture of the club. In a recent conversation with Cardinale, Glasner emphasized his desire to contribute to a rebuild at Milan, but on his own terms. Milan intend to inform Rangnick of their decision within the next two weeks. Meanwhile, Rangnick is currently preparing to lead the Austrian national team at the upcoming World Cup, with their first match against Jordan on June 16th.
Beyond the roles of technical director and head coach, Milan are also seeking a new CEO and sporting director, with several German candidates reportedly under consideration for the latter position, including Devin Ozek, Johannes Spors, and Marcel Schafer. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is currently in Los Angeles and is believed to be in frequent communication with Cardinale regarding the club's future.
