AC Milan is working hard to shape its technical future, but the road to the Rossoneri dugout is proving more complex than initially anticipated. Following a meeting held in London between Zlatan Ibrahimović, Massimo Calvelli and the entourage of Andoni Iraola, current head coach of Bournemouth, the picture that emerges is one of a negotiation still in its early stages, with several key issues yet to be resolved.
No Agreement: Neither Economic nor Verbal
The most significant detail at this stage is that no agreement has been reached between the parties, neither financial nor verbal. The Basque manager, born in 1982, has not yet made up his mind, and a positive outcome still appears some way off. From what has emerged so far, Iraola holds two distinct sets of reservations that are slowing the approach to the Milan club.
First Doubt: The Sporting Project Fails to Convince
The first area of uncertainty concerns the technical and managerial project presented by the Rossoneri leadership. According to reports, the coach is not fully persuaded by the solidity of the plan: the available budget would not be particularly high and, above all, the management structure still appears unsettled following the significant changes of recent months. Starting almost from scratch, without a consolidated structure in place, is not an appealing prospect for a manager who has shown at Bournemouth that he thrives on methodical, long-term work.
Second Doubt: Family Ties and the Premier League
The second factor is more personal. Iraola reportedly has concrete offers from English clubs on the table, including one from Crystal Palace, and is reportedly reluctant to leave the Premier League for Italy, partly for family reasons. Life in England, the stability of the environment and proximity to family appear to weigh as heavily in his considerations as the contractual terms themselves.
As already covered in recent weeks, Iraola remains the top candidate for the Milan dugout, but the path to a signature is anything but straightforward.
The Situation Remains Open: Everything Can Change
It is important to stress that the negotiation is not over and that in the coming hours or days the situation could evolve considerably. Milan believe in Iraola’s profile and the Rossoneri leadership could work to put forward a more compelling sporting and financial offer. The desire to reach a positive conclusion is there, and the club has the means to strengthen its proposal.
What is clear is that Milan is going through a phase of deep renewal, and finding the right figures — both on the touchline and in the boardroom — is the essential first step in building a future worthy of this club’s history and ambitions. Rossoneri supporters can be confident that the leadership is working around the clock to deliver the best possible project for AC Milan.
