Milan are reportedly progressing with plans to appoint Ralf Rangnick as their new head of football operations, according to reports in the Italian press. The club has scheduled a meeting with Oliver Glasner in the coming days, likely early next week, following Glasner’s recent Europa Conference League victory with Crystal Palace.
This development comes after a swift restructuring at the club, which saw Giorgio Furlani, Igli Tare, Geoffrey Moncada, and Max Allegri all depart on Monday. Cardinale and Ibrahimovic are swiftly seeking replacements, indicating a desire for rapid organizational change. The potential appointment of Rangnick, currently the national team manager of Austria, signals a possible shift towards a data-driven, high-intensity approach to football, reminiscent of his successful tenure with Red Bull.
Glasner’s recent success – having previously won the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt and the FA Cup with Crystal Palace – demonstrates his ability to deliver results at a high level. The Milan hierarchy clearly views him as a viable candidate, though the club’s current standing remains a question mark. Rangnick previously oversaw the Red Bull project, linking RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg through a shared philosophy of intense play, international scouting, and player transfers.
Glasner himself previously worked within the Salzburg organization in a managerial role, initially holding a business administration position before being convinced by Rangnick to become a coaching assistant in 2012. Matthias Jaissle, another potential managerial candidate, also has strong ties to Rangnick, having played under him at Hoffenheim and later coached in Salzburg’s youth system. Jaissle would require a reported €6 million fee to be released from his current club, Al Ahli. Should Rangnick take the position, he is expected to select the new head coach from among candidates like Glasner and Jaissle.
Alongside the search for a new coach, Milan are also considering candidates for the role of sporting director, with Manu Fajardo of Real Betis and Jorge Rodriguez of Villarreal both under consideration. The club is leaning towards a structure with multiple heads of departments reporting to Rangnick, should he accept the offer. This new structure would see the coach selected in collaboration with Ibrahimovic and Cardinale, and granted full support.
