Italian giants AC Milan have confirmed they have fired technical director and former club captain Paolo Maldini in a brief statement on their official club website.
The 54-year-old returned to San Siro in 2018, marking his comeback to the club since his retirement from football nine years prior.
During his time as technical director, the Rossoneri won the 2021-22 Serie A title, their first in 11 years, and Maldini was instrumental in bringing the likes of stars such as Theo Hernandez, Rafael Leao, Mike Maignan, and Olivier Giroud to the club.
AC Milan confirm Maldini exit
Along with Maldini, Sporting Director Frederic Massara was also sacked yesterday as the club board aims to go in a different direction from next season. According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the decision was made on Monday night following a tense meeting that day between Maldini and Milan owner Gerry Cardinale.
🚨 AC Milan director Paolo Maldini will leave the club with immediate effect.
It’s over after tense meeting today with club chairman Gerry Cardinale — due to different vision for the future of the club.
Co-director Ricky Massara is also set to leave AC Milan. pic.twitter.com/ayqVhzsRMZ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 5, 2023
The decision is likely to halt the progress made on the summer signing of Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was hand-picked by ex-skipper and Milan’s all-time record appearance holder Maldini.