The Phone Call Between Cardinale, Ibrahimovic and Rangnick: What We Know
It is now confirmed: Gerry Cardinale, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ralf Rangnick, head coach of the Austrian national team, held a phone call to discuss a possible move by the German tactician to AC Milan — not as a manager, but as a director, potentially filling the role of technical director at the Rossoneri club. It is an intriguing development, but one that raises important questions the Milan hierarchy will need to address head on.
Who Is Ralf Rangnick and Why His Name Has Surfaced Again at Milan
Ralf Rangnick, 67, is one of the most respected coaches and directors in European football. The former architect of the RB (Red Bull) model and seasoned talent identifier later took on the role of Austria national team manager, guiding the side to major tournaments. His profile as a talent scout and squad builder makes him, at least on paper, a fascinating candidate for a club in full reconstruction mode like Milan.
It is worth noting that Rangnick’s name had already been linked to Milan in the past without ever leading anywhere concrete. This time, however, a direct phone call involving the club’s owner and its key sporting reference gives the story a different and more substantial weight.
Rangnick’s Words: Neither Confirmation Nor Denial
Rangnick himself has released brief comments on the matter. The German coach acknowledged that «probably everyone has noticed that something extraordinary has happened at Milan» following the club’s exclusion from the Champions League and the subsequent management overhaul. He was, however, quick to stress that the Austrian Football Federation remains his only contractual point of reference.
That is not a flat denial: Rangnick could have shut the door firmly by stating clearly that the Milan rumours have nothing to do with him. Instead, he opted for a softer exit, one that leaves more than one window of interpretation wide open.
The Timing Issue: Rangnick Is Committed to the World Cup
The most critical aspect of the whole story concerns timing. Rangnick is currently committed to the Austrian national team at the World Cup: Austria have an official fixture scheduled for June 28, and should they advance in the tournament, his duties could extend well into July. In a realistic scenario, Rangnick would not be operationally available to Milan before the end of June — at the very earliest.
Milan, meanwhile, needs clear leadership now. The squad is in limbo, players’ agents are pressing for answers, and the summer transfer window operates on deadlines that cannot be ignored. Building a management structure around a figure who is not immediately available is a logistical and organisational challenge of real significance.
A Leadership Void That Is Starting to Weigh
At present, AC Milan has no sporting director, no head coach, no technical director and no CEO. A structural void that bears down on every aspect of the club’s planning: squad building, contract management, internal communications and relationships with agents. As previously highlighted, the search for a DS and a CEO is long and fraught with obstacles.
Rangnick’s profile could represent an important piece of the Rossoneri reconstruction puzzle — but for that to happen, timelines, roles and responsibilities will need to be defined with clarity and urgency. The desire to return to the top is fierce, and confidence in the club’s ability to find the right solutions remains strong.
