Zvonimir Boban gave up his post as FIFA secretary general to come to Milan in June 2019. The Croatian legend received a mandate from Elliott Management to fill the Sports Director’s seat that Leonardo had just left. At the same time, another legendary Milan came. Paolo Maldini was given the position of Technical Director in Milan. Many thought that Milan’s management decision was right. Because after all, in Italy the team’s identity is still very crucial.
No wonder then that the combination of the two new directors was sufficient to float Milanisti’s hopes. Because both of them symbolize the legendary Milan who have had success in the past, of course speaking of Milan, we will remember Milan who wallow in achievement. But behind it all, Elliott has another strategy. The investment company from the United States wants Milan to be more modern by appointing Ivan Gazidis as Milan’s new boss. The former Arsenal CEO is now Elliott’s right hand man and carries a financially healthy Milan.
In less than a year, the Milan public was split into two camps. Between supporters of Modern Milan and Legendary Milan. As explained above, we know that these two camps refer to Milan’s dualism. Between the legendary Boban-Maldini vs. Gazinis symbolizing modernity. The modern Milan camp thinks that the identity and culture of Italy and Milan no longer matter. They want a significant change in the body of Milan.
While the legendary Milan stronghold has the opposite perception. Yes, they want Milan to be better. However, the Maldini-Boban camp cannot forget the club’s past history. Not as a group that is allergic to new things, they hold fast to de-Italianization and de-Milanization. Moreover, two camps led by Milan are also at war with the change of coaches. Gazidis wants RB Leipzig coach Ralf Rangnick to invest in young players and normalize Milan’s finances, the maneuver is more about business than achievement.
Whereas the two legends want Stefano Pioli to stay at Milan in view of his performance so far not to disappoint. Or if indeed Pioli cannot exceed the target end of the season, they want people who are already close to Milan like Massimiliano Allegri. Long ago, the indication of a rift between the Milan boss and the two legends was indeed loud. In the strategy on the field, Gazidis wants to rely on youth projects which are expected to produce talented young players for the team.
However, Maldini and Boban saw the results of the plan fall apart. After all the mentality of young people need guidance from 1-2 senior players. For this reason Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Simon Kjaer and Asmir Begovic were brought to the San Siro.
The combination of senior-juniors will continue to be proposed by the two different table directors with the first step to clarify Ibrahimovic for contract extension. Including re-recruit veteran defender Thiago Silva. Unfortunately, the line of communication with Elliott was cut off.
Boban was furious with the Gazidis maneuver who wanted to bring in Ralf Rangnick when Pioli was working hard to bring Milan better. This right is enough to make the dressing room not conducive. The man who graduated from Zagreb University spoke to La Gazzetta Dello Sport related to what happened in Milan’s kitchen.
Leonarda Boban’s husband called Gazidis overstepping his authority, because he did not first discuss the desire to bring in Ralf Rangnick. Though it is one of the main duties and functions of a Director of Sports and Technical Director. Boban and Maldini felt that the decision made by their colleague, Gazidis, was very one-sided.
“They agreed with Rangnick in December. I wish him luck, but they should at least tell me about this. I deserve this information,” cried Boban. As quoted from Italian Football. Although Gazidis is considered defected to the two Milan legends. Boban was later fired by the club. Because, he has opened the team’s inconvenience to the media.
Meanwhile, after the dismissal was unfair for him. Boban will cast demands against AC Milan. He will appoint a legal consultant who had worked together while he was still active at FIFA. The legend will demand payment for a three-year contract that just finished after nine months.
Cannot be denied, Boban and AC Milan have sweet memories. However, termination of employment contracts in the middle of the road made the relationship between them worsen. Recently, Boban launched an attack for a team that has raised his name as a player. He called Milan implementing dictatorial style leadership like North Korea. “I am not aware that we are in a dictatorship like in North Korea. My interview was legally perfect and arrived after many questions and demands for clarification that were not answered.
The dismissal of Boban could also have an impact on his colleague, Paolo Maldini. The owner of the number 3 back in Milan still objected to what Milan decided to Boban. Maldini could have gone along with Boban.
Because in recent days, he was not seen at Milanello, the AC Milan team’s training center. And Gazidis did not hesitate to carry out the task left by the two Directors, by visiting Stefano Pioli’s troops yesterday.
Tracing the problems that occurred in Milan. The dismissal of Boban is not a permanent solution to resolve the two camps conflict. Boban is indeed guilty, but Gazidis is no different. Gazidis, who now has more power, his position as CEO and Elliott’s company right hand could have eroded de-Milanization in Milan and kept the team away from the undermining of the legendaries.
Because he thought, modernity had opened the minds of the Italians. For example, the neighboring club, Inter Milan, who began to dare to assign former Juventus people like Beppe Marotta and Antonio Conte. Although Gazidis had the upper hand to preserve his power. But in the end no one will win from this legendary Milan vs. modern Milan match. All only harm the team itself.
Although bitter for any side, the author must say if this season has ended for AC Milan. Because when other teams fight get the Scudetto and their respective targets. AC Milan is fighting for power on its own internal. This began to be reflected in the 26th Giornata match continued.
ASL
