AC Milan are considering Devin Özek, currently at Fenerbahçe, for the role of sporting director, according to reports in Italy. The 31-year-old has quickly risen through the ranks as a promising talent in football administration, attracting attention from one of Serie A’s most historic clubs.
Özek’s career began after realizing his ambitions as a player were unfulfilled. Despite numerous trials in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, he acknowledged his limitations and redirected his passion towards the administrative side of the game. In 2015, he proactively contacted Simon Rolfes, the current CEO of Bayer Leverkusen, offering his scouting expertise regarding a perceived lack of Bavarian representation in the club’s youth system. This bold move led to a video interview, followed by an in-person meeting and subsequent employment with Leverkusen.
He initially focused on youth development, emphasizing the importance of education alongside football for young players. Özek’s role steadily expanded, eventually encompassing the first team. He developed a strong working relationship with Rolfes, sharing a similar philosophy regarding team building – prioritizing a club-defined playing style and then identifying players to fit that system. He was instrumental in identifying Alejandro Grimaldo as a potential signing, though he only advocated for the purchase after Xabi Alonso’s arrival as manager, recognizing the player’s suitability for Alonso’s tactical approach.
Özek’s time at Leverkusen concluded due to his ambition to lead a technical department and, reportedly, some internal concerns regarding his proactive and expansionist approach. He then moved to Fenerbahçe a year ago, where he demonstrated his negotiating skills by securing the signings of experienced players like Asensio from Paris Saint-Germain and Ederson from Manchester City. He also facilitated a loan deal for Kossounou to Atalanta for a reported €5 million. Milan are seemingly impressed with his ability to identify and acquire talent, and his experience in both German and Turkish football could prove valuable as they look to rebuild their squad and challenge for Serie A titles.
This potential appointment signals Milan’s intent to modernize their approach to player recruitment and club management, potentially ushering in a new era at the San Siro.
