Paolo Maldini opens up on ‘weak’ reasons behind AC Milan sacking

Paolo Maldini has now spoken out over his sacking as the director of AC Milan in June. He, alongside sporting director Ricky Massara, were relieved of their duties after getting the team to the semi finals of the Champions League, and helped them earn £60 million during the season, which exceeded the expectations set for them. 

But in spite of their success, they were forced out and Maldini has now commented that the reasons for letting them go were ‘weak’, when speaking to La Repubblica. 

Paolo Maldini speaks out on Milan sacking 5 months later 

Paolo Maldini Image via Alpha Coders 1 Paolo Maldini opens up on 'weak' reasons behind AC Milan sacking

‘Cardinale told me and [Ricky] Massara (Milan’s former sporting director) that we were fired,’ Maldini said to the Italian outlet, per The Athletic.

‘I asked him why and he told me I had a bad relationship with [the CEO Giorgio] Furlani. So I said: ‘Did I ever call you to complain about him?’ I never did.

‘In a year I had only one chat with him [Cardinale] and got four messages. He said we should trust each other. I trusted him. We all know how that went.’

He added: ‘I believe that the decision to fire Massara and me had been made many months before. And in hindsight I am forced to reconsider the relationship with some people who worked with me and who certainly, I find it difficult to imagine otherwise, were already aware of that decision.’

AC Milan, Serie A 2021/22
Image Credit: Twitter

Paolo Maldini also urged the current owners to take care of things, with the Rossoneri only recently coming back from their massive slump in the 2010s. 

‘I said it that same day, before my leave: today you are in charge, but please respect Milan’s history.’ 

‘There are people that just pass through institutions like Milan that don’t have a real respect for their identity and history. They don’t work towards giving a vision to the new generation of fans. Often they are just managerial figures that come to work in a prestigious big, popular club just to make their CV look better and then go somewhere else,’ Paolo Maldini hit back at the upper management.

Paolo Maldini opens up on 'weak' reasons behind AC Milan sacking

‘On the other hand, there are people who have these things in their heart, are in for the long term and are tied to the clubs ideals that throughout history have been taught to many people on and off the pitch. Unfortunately, in modern football, the population of the first type of person keeps growing. I believe you have to keep hold of whoever has those ideals and makes it their work to save a club’s values and identity’

He also spoke about where he could go next as a technical director. Maldini has recently been linked with Manchester United, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to make significant changes behind the scenes. And he admitted that any new opportunities would likely take him beyond Italy. 

‘For my job, the alternatives to Milan are very limited. I could never go to another Italian team, possibly I would only evaluate the offer of a high-level foreign team. I like winning and building. [Saudi] Arabia could be a stimulating option, who knows.’

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

More like this

Most Champions League trophies: Real Madrid Kroos, Modric, Nacho and Carvajal

Best XI with the most Champions League titles in...

The Champions League, or European Cup as it was previously called, is the most prestigious trophy in...
JoĂ£o FĂ©lix's Loan Spell at AC Milan Might Be Coming To An End: A Short-Lived Affair

Joao Felix’s Loan Spell at AC Milan Might Be...

JoĂ£o FĂ©lix's journey at AC Milan, which started with hope and anticipation, is now nearing its end....
Kyle Walker Urged to Extend AC Milan Stay Beyond Current Season

Kyle Walker Urged to Extend AC Milan Stay Beyond...

AC Milan legend Massimo Ambrosini has encouraged the club to retain Kyle Walker beyond the current season,...
Feyenoord Stun AC Milan to Secure Champions League Last 16 Spot with Dramatic Draw

UEFA Champions League 2024/25: Feyenoord Stun AC Milan to...

Feyenoord delivered a stunning performance at the San Siro to eliminate AC Milan from the UEFA Champions...
Joao Felix Joins AC Milan on Loan

Joao Felix Joins AC Milan on Loan from Chelsea:...

In a thrilling development for both clubs and fans alike, Chelsea's Joao Felix is set to join...

LATEST NEWS

OnePlus 13T Sets New AnTuTu Record with Over 3 Million Score

The OnePlus 13T is just weeks away from its official launch, but it has already made an impressive appearance on AnTuTu. Well, according to...

ISL 2024-25: Javi Hernandez’s Late Heroics Hand Jamshedpur FC Crucial First-Leg Edge Over Mohun Bagan Super Giant

Jamshedpur FC took a significant step towards the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 final with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Mohun Bagan Super Giant...

Smart Samsung Cooling: Goodbye Sleepless Summers with Style!

Imagine a world where your air conditioner and fan work in perfect harmony, creating the ideal sleeping environment without you lifting a finger. Samsung...

IPL 2025: Venkatesh, Arora Star as KKR Hand SRH Their Biggest-Ever Loss

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) rediscovered their explosive batting form in Mumbai, while Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) continued their struggles, suffering a third consecutive defeat despite...

Featured