Zlatan Ibrahimovic is confident Sandro Tonali ‘will do well’ at Newcastle United and jokes about his own future plans. ‘You never know, I could be in pre-season training with Milan next month.’
The striker decided to hang up his boots after a year of barely setting foot on the field amid knee surgery and on-going fitness issues, letting his contract with the Rossoneri run down.
He has not yet chosen his next step, but speaking to reporters at an event in Bergamo, admitted retirement suited him.
“I feel really relaxed and that is honestly surprising, because I didn’t think I would be. I imagined being more stressed out. Instead, I feel pretty cool,” said the 41-year-old.
The Swede is in “no rush” to organise a farewell testimonial match, but did joke about his future.
“I will take some time, we’ll see what happens. It’s only been three weeks, I might return to playing, you never know, I could be in pre-season training with Milan next month…”
Things are already changing in his absence, because the club decided to sell Italy international Tonali to Newcastle United for €80m including add-ons.
“I think he is ready for the Premier League. It depends on him. I helped him understand the right mentality he needs to win, and he has won. He grew a great deal at Milan and has more to go, but he’ll do very well in England.”
Another former companion who has left San Siro is Paolo Maldini, the director of sport who was unceremoniously sacked by new patron Gerry Cardinale.
There have been reports that Ibrahimovic could be tempted back to Milan in a directorial role to effectively replace Maldini.
“I don’t know what happened there, it is very sad for Paolo, because he is an icon of Milan. I am proud of the fact people want to see me back at Milan in another role. Milan remains in my heart, what I went through with this club is something that stays in you.”