Iraola Says No: A Setback to Analyse With Clear Eyes
The first name chosen by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gerry Cardinale for the AC Milan dugout has not materialised. Andoni Iraola, the Basque coach who guided Bournemouth with impressive personality and tactical clarity, has not accepted the Rossoneri’s proposal — and, according to the latest reports, has no intention of doing so, despite talks having progressed over several days.
It is a situation that deserves honest reflection. That said, context is everything: Iraola is one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe right now. The Basque manager has attracted interest from clubs of the very highest calibre, including Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen and Crystal Palace — all clubs with enormous financial resources and sporting appeal, particularly for a coach whose stock has soared in the Premier League.
In this environment, comparisons with Premier League budgets inevitably put Milan at a disadvantage in purely financial terms. But the history, the shirt and the ambition of the Rossoneri remain powerful selling points on the market — ones that need to be communicated more effectively.
Rangnick: The Big Profile, With Precise Demands
The name circulating most insistently at this moment is that of Ralf Rangnick, one of European football’s most respected figures, the architect of the Red Bull model at Leipzig and the current head coach of Austria. Ibrahimovic and Cardinale are said to be very keen on bringing him in as head of football, granting him full control over the club’s sporting structure — including the choice of head coach, sporting director and youth academy setup.
Rangnick, however, is not one to sign on the dotted line without guarantees. The German wants full autonomy, concrete assurances, the ability to bring in his own trusted people and to build a serious, long-term project — modelled on what he achieved within the Red Bull ecosystem. A legitimate ask from a man who has proven he can build winning clubs from the ground up.
There is, however, a real timing issue: Rangnick is nearly 68 years old and in the coming weeks will be fully occupied with Austria at the 2026 World Cup, held in the United States. The time zone difference and the demands of the national team make it difficult to envisage an immediate start at Milan. The club would need someone operational from June to set up pre-season, training camp and the summer transfer window. Whether the two parties can find a workable formula remains to be seen.
For more on the Rangnick hypothesis, read our piece: Rangnick as AC Milan’s Head of Football: Ibrahimovic and Cardinale in Talks, Dialogue Open.
Glasner: Rangnick’s Name Comes With a Ready-Made Dugout Solution
Closely linked to the Rangnick figure is that of Oliver Glasner, the Austrian coach well acquainted with his compatriot’s footballing philosophy. Glasner recently departed Crystal Palace, with whom he claimed the UEFA Conference League — a trophy that underlines his credentials at international level — and is currently without a club.
The idea taking shape is an intriguing one: Rangnick as head of football, Glasner as first-team head coach, with a sporting director hand-picked by Rangnick completing the setup. A proven model, inspired by the Red Bull blueprint, built on methodological consistency, high-intensity football and the development of young talent.
Nothing is confirmed yet, but it is a concrete and credible scenario. For a Milan that needs to restart with a solid structure and a clear footballing identity, placing trust in figures of this calibre — while acknowledging the specific challenges Italy poses for foreign coaches — could represent the turning point needed to return to competing at the very highest level.
The Fans Are Waiting, Milan Is Moving
Rossoneri supporters are following every development with close attention and, understandably, a degree of anxiety. The hope is that in the coming hours or days, a positive and concrete piece of news will finally arrive: a name, an agreement, a project that once again gives enthusiasm and direction to the Milan of the future.
The club has everything it needs to be great again. It just needs the right people, in the right positions, at the right time.
