AC Milan players have reacted to the club’s decision to sack team legends, prompting speculation that the club could be on the verge of a summer transfer window.
“AC Milan have sacked technical director Paolo Maldini and sporting director Frederic Mascherano,” Italian publication Gianluca Di Marzio reported on Thursday (June 6).
Maldini and Masara have been with the club since 2018 and 2019, respectively, and have worked to rebuild the organization. The pair signed new contracts with the club in July 2022, following Milan’s Serie A title win in the 2021/22 season. However, Milan dismissed both of them less than a year after signing them.
Maldini’s departure was particularly shocking, as he is an iconic figure for the club. Maldini is a one-club man and a legend, having played exclusively for Milan since his professional debut in 1985 until his retirement in 2009.
Di Marzio said: “Maldini and Masara are leaving. There have already been reports of tensions in their talks with the club and their departure has already been decided. The club will look for other replacements,” he said, adding that Maldini and Masara’s departure was confirmed.
According to local reports in Italy, the club hopes to move quickly to find a replacement and rebuild the team, but the question is how the players will react. The Milan players are reportedly devastated by the news of Maldini’s dismissal and are even considering leaving the team.
According to the Daily Mail, “AC Milan players are unhappy with the decision to sack Maldini. According to Italian outlet Repubblica, goalkeeper Mike Mignolet and Theo Hernandez are disappointed with Maldini’s departure and are weighing up whether to leave the club this summer,” referring to the players’ discontent.
“Key midfielder Sandro Tonali is another Milan player who has not accepted Maldini’s departure. Milan star Raphael Varane, who has signed a long-term contract, may be rethinking his future following Maldini’s departure.”
In fact, Leroy posted a questioning emoji on social media after the news of Maldini’s suspension broke, indirectly indicating that he didn’t understand the club’s decision.
After all, Milan had just lost Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the club’s moral compass, to retirement, and the decision to sack Maldini seems to have offended the squad.스포츠토토
With key players in each position, from goalkeeper to attack, including Theo, Messi, Tonali, and Leroy, not understanding the club’s decision and demanding a move, it could undo all the hard work Milan has put into rebuilding the team.
It will be interesting to see what kind of solution Milan can come up with to quell the discontent in the squad after the retirements and suspensions of team legends have disrupted their preparations for next season.