AC Milan are working to define their leadership structure, and alongside the search for a new head coach, the question of who will serve as Sporting Director is equally pressing. According to the latest reports, the name at the top of the Rossoneri’s shortlist is Marcus Krösche, currently Sporting Director at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Who Is Marcus Krösche
Born in 1980, Krösche is a German executive with a very recognisable profile on the European football landscape. He first made his mark at RB Leipzig, where he helped build one of the most dynamic and competitive sides in the Bundesliga, applying the Red Bull philosophy of data analysis, young talent identification and the development of undervalued profiles. He later took those principles to Eintracht Frankfurt, where he refined and expanded the model, guiding the club to the 2021/22 Europa League title and assembling a competitive squad without astronomical spending. His formula? Sign players who haven’t yet peaked or are coming off difficult spells, develop them, and sell at significantly higher values, generating substantial profit margins.
Why RedBird Wants Him
Krösche’s approach is precisely the model RedBird Capital has long sought to implement at Milan. The American owners have consistently been drawn to a management model that allows the club to buy at low cost, grow value and sell at a profit. Financially sustainable, without question — but it raises legitimate questions about a club that must compete at the highest level in Serie A and the Champions League.
The Key Sticking Points
The deal, however, is not yet done. Talks between the parties have been ongoing for several days, and key issues remain to be resolved — starting with Krösche’s existing contract at Eintracht Frankfurt, which would need to be terminated or negotiated with the German club. An agreed financial package will also need to be found.
There is also the question of his working relationship with Zlatan Ibrahimović. One of the hallmarks of a sporting director like Krösche is precisely his independence in transfer decisions, driven by data and analytical models rather than external influence. It will be crucial to establish whether the new DS will be free to operate with the autonomy his methodology demands, in a club where Ibrahimović holds considerable sway.
Is This the Right Model for AC Milan?
The debate over the RedBird model at AC Milan remains open. Krösche has proven his ability to build competitive squads on limited budgets, achieving strong results in the Europa League and at the top end of the Bundesliga. But AC Milan is AC Milan — supporters and the club’s history demand ambition, marquee signings and a genuine challenge for the Scudetto. Striking the right balance between financial sustainability and sporting ambition will be the real challenge in the months ahead. As already explored in recent weeks in relation to Milan’s ongoing managerial uncertainty, the club needs clear and decisive signals — and the choice of Sporting Director will be the first real test.
