Milan’s search for a new head of football operations has broadened following Ralf Rangnick’s decision to remain as the manager of the Austrian national team. According to reports in Italy, Rangnick met with Milan owner Gerry Cardinale but ultimately declined the opportunity, reportedly due to concerns over the level of autonomy he would be granted in shaping the club’s footballing structure.
The club is currently without an administrator delegate, a technical director, a sporting director, and a head coach, creating a significant void in leadership. Rangnick’s withdrawal has prompted Milan to accelerate their evaluation of alternative candidates, with Ramon Planes emerging as a strong contender. Planes recently departed from Al Ittihad and has been in contact with the club for several weeks.
A more recent focus has been on Devin Ozek, a 31-year-old German executive lauded for his role in the success of Bayer Leverkusen. Ozek’s subsequent spell at Fenerbahçe was less successful, and he is now seeking a new position. Milan have held two rounds of talks with Ozek, viewing his youth and relatively low profile as advantages compared to the more established Rangnick. Markus Krösche, the sporting director of Eintracht Frankfurt, is also under consideration.
On the managerial front, Milan have held discussions with both Matthias Jaissle and Ruben Amorim in London, with Cardinale present. Jaissle, who previously worked under Rangnick, has impressed with his modern, attacking style of football and recently won two Asian Champions League titles with Al Ahli. However, a €6 million release clause presents a potential obstacle. Jaissle is reportedly willing to forgo a significant portion of his current €11 million salary to return to Europe and join Milan. Amorim, recently departed from Manchester United, represents a different tactical approach, positioned between Jaissle and Oliver Glasner, who had been a leading candidate for the role. Amorim is currently weighing the project presented by Cardinale. Glasner remains a keen candidate, while Mauricio Pochettino, the current manager of the United States national team, is considered a less likely option.
These developments suggest Milan are meticulously evaluating a range of options to rebuild their leadership structure, aiming to find the right individuals to guide the club forward.
