AC Milan technical director Paolo Maldini ‘has been sacked following a tense meeting with owner Gerry Cardinale’…leaving ‘Theo Hernandez and Chelsea target Mike Maignan considering their future’ as Rafael Leao reacts on Twitter
- Club icon Paolo Maldini met with AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale on Monday
- The meeting did not go well and Maldini was reportedly sacked by the club
- Several players are said to be considering their future after Maldini’s exit
AC Milan icon Paolo Maldini has reportedly been sacked as the club’s technical director after a meeting with owner Gerry Cardinale on Monday.
Maldini and Milan director of football Ricky Massara met with RedBird chief Cardinale to discuss plans for the next term after the Serie A season ends on Sunday.
The meeting did not go well, with the two sides unable to agree on how to move the club forward during tense discussions, and Maldini and Massara have now been dismissed, according to Calciomercato.
Maldini’s departure will be a particularly heavy blow for Milan fans given his legendary status at the club.
The 54-year-old spent 25 years at Milan as a player between 1984 and 2009, winning Serie A seven times as well as five European Cups.
Paolo Maldini reportedly sacked as AC Milan technical director
The decision came following a tense meeting with Milan owner Gerry Cardinale (above)
After his retirement, he returned to the club in 2018 initially as development director before being promoted to technical director the following year.
During his tenure, Maldini brought in a number of players who flourished at Milan, including Rafael Leao and Fikayo Tomori.
The pair helped the Rossoneri end their 11-year wait for the Scudetto last year when Milan held off bitter rivals Inter Milan to clinch the title on the final day.
Maldini was widely hailed after his signing led to triumph for Milan, but the club’s business over the past 12 months has been disappointing.
Top signings such as Divock Origi and Charles De Ketelaere failed to shine as Stefano Pioli’s men could only finish fourth in Serie A this season, 20 points behind champions Napoli.
They reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, but were largely beaten by Inter over two legs.
The Italian giants managed to convince Leao to sign a new long-term contract last week, but the Portuguese star may already be rethinking his future.
He posted a puzzled face emoji on Twitter on Monday night, suggesting he was unhappy with the club’s decision to let Maldini go.
Stefano Pioli’s men have had a disappointing campaign and Maldini has now paid the price
Rafael Leao posted a puzzled face emoji to suggest he’s unhappy with Maldini’s exit
The Republic reported that some of Milan’s other star names are also angry at Maldini’s exit.
The report claims full-back Theo Hernandez may be considering his future, while goalkeeper Mike Maignan may now be reluctant to sign a contract extension.
The French keeper has been linked with a move to Chelsea this summer as the Blues search for a new number 1 to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic also announced his retirement from football on Sunday, and Maldini’s sacking completes a dramatic 24 hours for Milan.
Theo Hernandez (above) is reportedly considering his future after Maldini’s sacking
Chelsea target Mike Maignan (above) may also be reluctant to sign a new deal with Milan
