AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini out as technical director

Paolo Maldini’s tenure as AC Milan’s technical director has ended, the membership introduced in a quick assertion Tuesday following studies of a rupture between the previous defender and Milan’s new American proprietor, Gerry Cardinale.

“AC Milan announces that Paolo Maldini concludes his role at the club, effective as of June 5, 2023,” the club statement said.

“We thank him for his years of service in the role, contributing to the return to the Champions League and to winning the Scudetto in 2021-22. His day-to-day duties will be performed by a team working in close integration with the first team manager, ultimately reporting to the CEO.”

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The 54-year-old Maldini was a longtime captain of Milan as a participant and is a fan favorite, so the transfer instantly drew protests from Rossoneri supporters.

Maldini and Cardinale reportedly diverged over deal with the membership’s strategy to the switch market, with Maldini having mentioned the group wanted a deeper roster to compete within the Champions League after being overwhelmed by metropolis rivals Inter Milan within the semifinals of this season’s prime European competitors.

Milan additionally did not defend the Serie A title they received in 2021-22, ending fourth within the lately concluded season, 20 factors behind champions Napoli.

Cardinale based RedBird Capital Partners in 2014 and is the managing accomplice of the agency that bought a controlling curiosity in seven-time European champions Milan for €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) in September.

Maldini had been Milan’s technical director since 2019 and was largely credited with placing collectively the younger squad that received Serie A final yr.