Oliver Glasner is still the leading candidate to become the new manager of AC Milan, but owner Gerry Cardinale is taking his time with a final decision as the club continues to evaluate other options. According to reports in Italy, Milan is moving away from seeking Italian managers and is instead prioritizing international coaches who can bring a more European style of play to the team.
The Austrian coach, recently of Crystal Palace, is attracted to the project at San Siro and eager to take on the challenge. He has reportedly been offered a two-year contract with an option for a third, worth between €3 and €4 million per season. Glasner recently turned down an offer from Feyenoord to pursue the Milan opportunity. During his time at Crystal Palace, he secured a Community Shield, FA Cup, and Conference League title, adding to his Europa League win with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Cardinale is actively involved in the interview process, alongside club legend Zlatan Ibrahimović (participating remotely from his role with Fox Sports in the United States) and new right-hand man Massimo Calvelli. He intends to have the final say on the appointment, a shift from previous years where he delegated the decision-making process. This has resulted in Glasner awaiting a final confirmation rather than the club actively pursuing his signature.
Milan are also considering other candidates, including former Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa, Matthias Jaissle of Al Ahli, and Ruben Amorim, formerly of Sporting Lisbon and West Ham United. Jaissle would require a €6 million release clause to be paid to his current club, while Amorim’s recent stint in the Premier League was considered disappointing. Ralf Rangnick remains a possibility for a technical director role, but is currently negotiating a contract renewal with the Austrian national team, and is weighing up the offer from Milan. Cardinale’s preferred process is to appoint a sporting director before finalizing the managerial position, though he is conducting interviews with potential coaches independently.
The club is seemingly prioritizing a modern coach who would be well-suited to work with a new sporting director, and Glasner’s profile fits this criteria. The situation remains fluid, but the club appears to be narrowing its search.
