Ibrahimović and Milan: the truth behind the rumours of a step back
In recent weeks, the rumour has spread persistently that Zlatan Ibrahimović has taken a step back from Milan’s management, deciding to no longer deal with the club’s sporting and administrative affairs. A piece of news that has fuelled heated debate among supporters and across major sports media platforms. But the facts tell a different story.
The facts contradict the “step back” narrative
There are at least two concrete elements that challenge the thesis of a completely sidelined Ibrahimović: the first is his participation in a six-hour summit with Gerry Cardinale and Oliver Glasner, the leading candidate for the Rossoneri bench. A meeting of that magnitude, with the coach who is in pole position to lead Milan, is certainly not the context in which someone who has decided to bow out would take a seat.
The second element concerns the phone calls made by Ibrahimović himself to sound out sporting director profiles. Operational, concrete activity that is hard to reconcile with the image of someone who has chosen to focus exclusively on sponsorships and commercial contracts.
The reality, therefore, seems to be more nuanced: Ibrahimović still has a certain influence within the club, even if the form and weight of that influence remain open to interpretation. To explore the stalemate situation at the Rossoneri further, it is also worth reading: Milan in limbo: Rangnick, Cardinale and a standstill that is hurting the transfer market.
The real issue: what does “not dealing with Milan” actually mean?
The central point of the matter is semantic before it is operational. Not dealing with Milan should mean a clear-cut choice: no more meetings, no more sporting consultancy, no active participation in technical decisions. It means limiting oneself to the commercial perimeter — relationships with sponsors like Nike, advertising contracts, institutional representation activities.
If, on the other hand, one participates in calls, sits at decision-making tables and makes phone calls about the transfer market, the picture is clearly different. And in this ambiguity lies, perhaps, one of the most difficult knots for the club’s present and future to untangle.
The Swede and his relationship with the fan base
There is also a more emotional dimension that should not be underestimated. AC Milan supporters are going through a period of great uncertainty: the team has been without a coach for weeks, the transfer market is paralysed, and the sense of belonging to the project risks being damaged. In this context, the figure of Ibrahimović — always a living legend of Milan and the undisputed protagonist of the 2022 Scudetto — could and should be a reference point capable of transmitting confidence and closeness.
Instead, the image coming through is that of a Zlatan busy in the United States commentating on the 2026 World Cup, with public appearances centred primarily on his own physical condition and commercial interests. An attitude that, regardless of intent, does not seem to meet the expectations of a fan base that needs to feel its Rossoneri home close and present.
A legend who can still make a difference
Let’s be clear: Ibrahimović remains one of the most charismatic and beloved figures in AC Milan’s history. His legacy as a player is intact and nothing can tarnish it. The managerial role, however, requires a different kind of presence and communication, more oriented towards the collective project than personal storytelling.
Milan needs clear leadership, coherent communication and a solid management structure. Ibrahimović has all the credentials to be a fundamental part of this journey — the fans’ hope is that he chooses to be so in the fullest and most impactful way possible, placing the good of the club at the centre of every decision.
