Paolo Maldini has been sacked as technical director by AC Milan after an uneven tenure behind the scenes at the club where he earned legendary status as a player.
Maldini has worked in an executive role at the Milanese club since 2018, and was promoted to technical director in 2019.
Milan won the Scudetto after a banner 2021-22 campaign, but Maldini’s capabilities have come into question in the 12 months since after a number of high-profile signings in the wake of the success have failed to shine this season.
Massera is also believed to have been dismissed.
The former defender, who spent 25 years of his player career at the club, is believed to have had a tense meeting with Milan’s owner Gerry Cardinale on Monday, along with their director of football Ricky Massara.
Massera is also believed to have been dismissed.
The club released a terse statement officially confirming their decision on Tuesday, saying: ‘AC Milan announces that Paolo Maldini concludes his tenure at the Club, with effect from 5 June 2023.
‘We thank him for his contribution over the years, with Milan returning to the Champions League and winning the Scudetto in the 2021/22 season.
‘His responsibilities will be assigned to an integrated working group who will work closely with the first team coach, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer.’
Milan finished fourth and sealed Champions League qualification for the second season in a row, after reaching the semi-finals to face their rivals and San Siro co-tenants Inter Milan this season.
Their fortunes were given a boost by a points deducation handed to Juventus late in the season after their appeal to have an earlier deduction reinstated was overturned.
Maldini has made a number of successful recruitment decisions during his spell as technical director, luring talents such as Fikayo Tomori and Rafael Leao to the northern Italian side.
But this season’s signings, including Divock Origi and Charles De Ketelaere, have failed to have the same impact and the club have ended the season without silverware.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
