The news that had been circulating for days across major sports media channels is now finding increasingly solid confirmation: Giorgio Furlani is heading towards his resignation as AC Milan’s Chief Executive Officer. Authoritative outlets such as Corriere della Sera, Repubblica, Tuttosport and Corriere dello Sport are all pointing in the same direction, making it clear this is no longer mere speculation.
Three and a half years at the helm: the numbers alone are not enough
Furlani led the Rossoneri for approximately three and a half years, delivering three consecutive positive balance sheets — a financially encouraging result for the club’s sustainability. Under his management, Milan completed around 100 transfer operations over three seasons, moving significant sums in both directions.
Yet in a football club, the balance sheet alone never tells the full story. On-pitch results remain the fundamental benchmark, and in that regard Milan never truly managed to compete at the very top — neither in Serie A nor in the Champions League on a consistent basis. It is precisely this lack of sporting continuity that has fuelled frustration among the Rossoneri faithful.
Fan protests: when the stands move mountains
It is no coincidence that Furlani’s departure comes at a time when the Milanista fanbase raised its voice with force and determination — not merely through online petitions, but through tangible protests at the stadium, both inside and outside San Siro. A clear signal that evidently did not fall on deaf ears. Organised support, when it moves with consistency and purpose, can become a genuine interlocutor even for ownership groups.
Who replaces Furlani? Calvelli steps forward
With Furlani’s exit increasingly imminent (pending official confirmation), the figure emerging most prominently is Massimo Calvelli, who is actively working to identify the right profile to lead the club operationally. As previously reported on these pages, Calvelli has already begun a series of meetings and preliminary soundings.
Among the names circulating most insistently:
- Adriano Galliani — the legendary former Rossoneri CEO met Calvelli in recent weeks. However, his age and current role at Monza make a senior advisory position more likely than the CEO role itself.
- Giovanni Carnevali — CEO of Sassuolo, a well-respected figure in Italian football, known for building competitive teams on limited budgets.
- Claudio Fenucci — CEO of Bologna, who oversaw a historic season for the Emilian club, including a first-ever Champions League qualification.
- International profiles — names from foreign clubs are also said to be under consideration, an option that could align with RedBird’s global vision for the Milan project.
The management model Milan should adopt
Beyond individual names, the structural question remains central: how should the Rossoneri’s leadership be organised? The most widely shared vision points to a clear, linear model — a CEO focused on financial and strategic matters, a strong and autonomous sporting director handling the transfer market and technical choices, and a head coach free to work without interference. Three distinct roles, three specific competencies, without the overlapping responsibilities that have often created confusion in recent seasons.
Within this framework, Zlatan Ibrahimović‘s role within the club’s structure also appears set to be scaled back, while Calvelli’s authority as the bridge between ownership and the club’s operational machine continues to grow.
Cardinale’s responsibilities and the hope for a turning point
Any discussion of this phase cannot ignore Gerry Cardinale, RedBird’s owner and AC Milan’s majority shareholder. Over four years, the club has experienced constant upheaval: Paolo Maldini’s departure, managerial changes, boardroom turbulence. Now, with Elliott progressively less involved in governance, this summer will mark the first transfer window in which Cardinale can operate with greater freedom.
This is a crucial moment. Milan stands at a crossroads, and the decisions made in the coming weeks — from the choice of a new CEO to the composition of the technical staff — will define the club’s identity for years to come. Rossoneri supporters deserve an ambitious, competitive, and well-structured Milan, and the hope is that this new corporate phase marks the genuine beginning of a better chapter.
