In recent hours, the words of Zvonimir Boban about Hendrik Almstad have come sharply back into focus. Almstad is the figure that RedBird ownership has chosen to head Milan’s player trading operations — a return to the scene that has not gone unnoticed, especially given a past that Rossoneri supporters remember all too well.
Who Is Almstad and Why Is He Controversial?
Hendrik Almstad is not a new name at Milan. He was already present during the Elliott ownership era, when Maldini and Boban held prominent roles within the club. During that period, Almstad effectively served as an internal supervisor, tasked with validating — or vetoing — the transfer operations proposed by the Maldini-Boban partnership. A filter that, according to the protagonists themselves, ended up blocking more than one promising deal.
The most emblematic case involves Dominik Szoboszlai: Boban was very close to bringing him to Milan, but the deal fell through precisely because of those internal constraints. The Hungarian midfielder went on to become one of the best in his position in Europe, now starring at Liverpool. The same pattern repeated itself with Dani Olmo, another name that could have become a major Rossoneri signing but never materialised for the same reasons.
Boban’s Words: A Sharp Critique
Boban, in a recent interview at MilanHello, was unsparing in his description of that difficult period. Here are his words on Almstad: “They had put a certain Almstad in place — I’m not sure he even understood football — who was supposed to approve what we were doing, like a technical comptroller.”
The former Croatian executive also revealed that as early as August of that year, his signing authority was removed without any prior warning, and he urged everyone to read Paolo Maldini’s interview with La Repubblica for a complete picture of what happened. A weighty account, which casts a shadow over the return of this figure to an even more central role within the Rossoneri structure.
His Only Stint as Sporting Director: Aston Villa’s Relegation
What makes the choice even more debated is Almstad’s CV as a sporting director. His only experience in that role dates back to the 2015/16 season at Aston Villa, when the club was relegated to the Championship after changing no fewer than four managers in a single campaign. Since then, Almstad has not served as a sporting director at any club.
Despite this, the ownership has decided to entrust him with managing transfer activity, within a structure that also includes Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a supervisory and advisory capacity, alongside RedBird figures and other collaborators. A crowded group, which sits uncomfortably with the idea of a lean and vertical chain of command — something the ownership itself had repeatedly spoken of as a priority.
A Crowded Structure: Sign of Strength or Confusion?
The structure taking shape around Amorim and the new Milan already looks heavily populated. Alongside Almstad in player trading, there are figures such as Bobby Gardiner, RedBird representatives, and Ibrahimovic’s consultancy — a combination of roles and responsibilities that will need to be managed with great care to avoid the overlaps and decision-making short circuits that have defined the club’s recent past.
The hope is that this time around the internal dynamics will be more fluid, and that Amorim will genuinely be given the resources and clarity needed to build a competitive Milan. Recent history demands caution, but the future is still unwritten — and the Rossoneri faithful are ready to live it with passion.
