Meeting in Milan between the Swedish champion and the founder of RedBird. The club is cautious: ‘It was not a job interview.’ Finding a role for Zlatan is not easy.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Milan met for two days in a row: the first at Milanello on the eve of the Newcastle match, and the second yesterday at a hotel on Corso Venezia. The second meeting appeared to be more formal: the team and Pioli were no longer present, but Gerry Cardinale was.
Cardinale is the founder of RedBird, and Zlatan Ibrahimoviฤ, two strong personalities who couldn’t have met only by chance and coffee. Something more was on the table, but what? According to ‘Gazzetta dello Sport‘, an inside information from the the club, says it was not a real job interview. No official contract has been offered to Ibra (at least not yet).
Fitting Zlatan into the organizational structure is indeed complex: as he wouldn’t accept a secondary role, and all the slots within the club are occupied. In the sports department, with Moncada and DโOttavio, and even more so in the managerial one, led by CEO Furlani, who is increasingly in the forefront. At the top, there is President Paolo Scaroni, with the “honorary” role already assigned to Franco Baresi, a Milan legend.
Ibra as a scout? Not even worth considering. Ibra as a brand ambassador? That would make more sense: as his image is highly recognizable. A rather “passive” role for Zlatan: but the idea is that he builds some experience, and when a slot opens up in the management he can move to something more important.
But there is also the possibility of a role closer to the team, in Pioli‘s staff or as a figure in contact with the players? Could that be the solution? Time and the key figures will tell. Pioli wouldn’t object: he has always said he is close to Zlatan โ even calling him a “friend” on Monday โ and would be happy to work with him again. However, the decision won’t be solely up to the coach.
Furthermore, this team, despite undergoing significant changes in the summer, still retains the core of the squad that won the Serie A title in 2022 with Zlatan. Ibra is reflecting on the future, but those who know him say his break is over. Zlatan doesn’t like to watch from afar; he wants to be part of a challenge.
