In a shocking turn of events, AC Milan is poised to leave club legend Paolo Maldini, who will leave AC Milan, possibly as early as Tuesday. Maldini has been the head of AC Milan’s technical department since the summer of 2019, just a year away from winning the Scudetto with the club being kicked out. AC Milan also says goodbye to current sports director Frederic Massara.
Despite both having contracts until the summer of 2024, American Italian club owner Gerry Cardinale spoke to Maldini on Monday and told him about his upcoming decision. As Sky Italy reports, it was a decision that came straight from Cardinale herself and left the entire fanbase in shock. Maldini is a legendary icon of the Rossoneri, first as captain of the club and then as director.
Maldini returned to AC Milan in the summer of 2018, when former club director Leonardo was in charge of the sports ground. A year later, Maldini became head of the technical department and in his first year he made the decision to appoint Stefano Pioli as head coach. When Pioli’s position was questioned by the club’s former CEO, Maldini supported the coach and it turned out to be a very good choice. In fact, two years later, AC Milan won the Serie A title, ending an 11-year drought.
Last year, after winning the Scudetto, Cardinale acquired the historic Italian club and Maldini’s situation was unclear, with his contract due in the summer of 2022. However, the two sides decided to continue together for another two years, but after only one season Cardinale decided to fire both Maldini and Massara.
It is not yet clear who will replace the duo at the club, but it seems likely that current AC Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani and head of scouting Geoffrey Moncada will be in charge of the upcoming decisions. As of now, coach Pioli is expected to remain in charge as his current contract expires in the summer of 2025.