A Power Vacuum That’s Starting to Hurt
June is in full swing, the summer football window is heating up, and AC Milan are still without direction. No sporting director, no CEO, no manager. An unprecedented situation for a club of the Rossoneri’s history and ambition, leaving only one question open: when will there be answers?
The news, for now, is that there is no news. And in the world of football, that in itself is already a worrying statement. As veteran director Giorgio Perinetti pointed out publicly, Milan are seriously behind schedule and it is simply inconceivable that a club of this stature does not yet have a defined technical and managerial structure at this stage of the summer.
The Contrast with Juventus
One only needs to look at what the competition is doing to understand the stark contrast. Juventus, for instance, recently completed a full executive reshuffle in under 24 hours: the outgoing CEO was shown the door and a replacement was announced almost immediately. The choice may be debatable, but the speed and clarity of the process speak for themselves.
At Milan, everything appears to be on hold. Ownership group RedBird and Gerry Cardinale seem inclined to take all the time they need — and then some — relying on headhunters, algorithms, and statistical data to guide their decisions. A method that may have its own internal logic, but one that sits uneasily with the demands of elite football and, above all, with a fanbase that is growing increasingly restless.
The Loss of Identity
There’s a dimension here that goes beyond simple operational management: AC Milan have lost their identity. Even in past crises — including the Yonghong Li era, when financial trouble was a daily reality — there was always a figure supporters could rally around. When Elliott took over, Leonardo and Paolo Maldini arrived, and despite the rush, that summer brought meaningful signings and, above all, a clear idea of what Milan should be.
None of that exists today. There is no reference point, no recognisable face embodying the club’s values. The ownership appears intent on rebuilding from scratch, cutting ties with the past and creating something new. A legitimate approach — but one that requires both the right timing and the right method, neither of which seems to be in place right now.
Unease Inside Casa Milan
Internal sources point to a palpable tension within the club’s structures. The situation is perceived as critical at multiple levels, yet the message coming from the top is one of calm: no rush, what matters is making the right choice. But spending weeks deliberating only to get it wrong anyway would be cold comfort for anyone.
The very real risk — as previously highlighted when discussing how the World Cup is slowing everything down — is that Milan could begin the season still under construction, without the foundations needed to compete.
What Milan Need to Move Forward
The answer is as simple as it is complex to execute: quick, clear, and courageous decisions. A sporting director capable of operating effectively in the transfer market, a CEO who can provide strategic vision, and a manager who can build something solid. Three figures who must communicate, work in harmony, and have a clear mandate from ownership.
AC Milan have every resource needed to do it. An unmatched history, a passionate worldwide fanbase, and one of the most recognisable brands in global football. What’s needed now is the will to put it all together — and quickly. The Rossoneri deserve better.
