AC Milan are preparing for sweeping changes behind the scenes this summer, regardless of whether they secure qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
According to reports emerging from Italy, the Rossoneri hierarchy have already begun plans for a significant restructuring of the club following what has been viewed internally as a disappointing and unstable campaign.
The decisive moment is expected to arrive immediately after Milan’s final Serie A fixture against Cagliari Calcio on Monday, a match which could determine whether the seven-time European champions qualify for the Champions League.
However, qualification alone may not be enough to prevent substantial changes at the boardroom and sporting level.
Current chief executive Giorgio Furlani is reportedly expected to leave the club as part of the restructuring process, with ownership already searching for a new chief executive to lead Milan into a new era.
The task of identifying the club’s next senior executive has reportedly been entrusted to Massimo Calvelli, a close associate of owner Gerry Cardinale and a current member of Milan’s board of directors.
Calvelli, formerly chief executive of the ATP Tour, has emerged as one of the most influential figures within Milan’s ownership structure and is expected to play a key role in redesigning the club’s sporting and corporate direction.
Several names are already being evaluated for the chief executive position, including Giovanni Carnevali, although foreign candidates are also believed to be under consideration.
The expected revolution may also affect Milan’s sporting leadership.
Sporting director Igli Tare is reportedly facing uncertainty despite arriving only last year, while club advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic could see his influence within the club significantly reduced.
Ibrahimovic has remained a prominent public figure within Milan’s ownership structure since returning to the club in an advisory capacity, yet reports suggest the ownership group are now reassessing the balance of power and decision making behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, the future of head coach Massimiliano Allegri also remains uncertain.
Should Milan qualify for the Champions League, Allegri’s contract extension would reportedly be activated automatically for another season. Even so, his long term future is far from guaranteed.
The Italian coach is believed to be intrigued by the possibility of eventually taking charge of the Italy national football team, while sources in Italy suggest he would demand major assurances regarding transfers and squad investment before committing himself fully to Milan’s project.
With the prospect of Champions League football bringing increased fixture demands and expectations, Milan’s ownership are understood to believe significant investment and structural reform will be necessary if the club are to compete again at the highest European level.
For now, attention remains fixed on the crucial clash against Cagliari. Yet regardless of the outcome, all indications suggest that a new chapter is about to begin at San Siro.
