Ibrahimovic Shows Face but Milan Role Could Shrink | OneFootball

Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned to the Milan training center on Saturday, three weeks after his last appearance. His lengthy absence had fueled rumors about a diminished role in light of the future front office shake-up. He participated in the first round of talks to onboard a new sporting director with owner Gerry Cardinale, but then CEO Giorgio Furlani took over the process, La Gazzetta dello Sport informs.

The influence of the Swedish icon on the club’s decisions will take a hit after the appointment. He doesn’t have a well-defined role within the front office. He’s technically a consultant to the governor and is under contract with Red Bird Capital.

Milan intend to maintain a collegial approach even after adding a new exec to Furlani, Ibrahimovic, and Geoffrey Moncada, who will go back to handling the scouting first and foremost. A candidate from abroad can’t be ruled out, but the brass is prioritizing somebody with previous Serie A experience. Fabio Paratici, Igli Tare, and Atalanta’s Tony D’Amico are in the lead.

The higher-ups have the same preference about their next coach and even the squad. The boss will have to be a recognizable leader and not a gamble and gel with the players right away. It didn’t happen with Paulo Fonseca. Pietro Comuzzo and Lorenzo Lucca are on the early wish list for the summer, provided their price tags aren’t too rich.

Our Take on Milan and Ibrahimovic

It would have been weirder if a consultant and not the CEO had more power. Their new hiring should further streamline the decision-making process after an utterly confusing campaign, hopefully avoiding power struggles.