Paolo Maldini admitted Milan’s new stadium project ‘doesn’t seem like a great success’ despite the years of work and expressed openness at the idea of a job in Saudi Arabia.
The legendary former defender was unexpectedly dismissed by Rossoneri owner Gerry Cardinale on June 5, bringing an end to a five-year spell in the club’s management. His departure caused shockwaves amongst supporters and generated much concern for the future of the project.
Maldini played a key role in Milan’s work in the transfer window, bringing in key players like Theo Hernandez, Rafael Leao, Mike Maignan and Fikayo Tomori. He also pushed for young talent Francesco Camarda’s promotion to the Primavera squad in the summer, his final gift to the club.
Speaking on pages 42 and 43 of today’s Repubblica, Maldini discussed his plans for the future following his recent departure from Milan.
“I will remain on the UEFA board of former champions and coaches for the technical reforms of football. Boban’s idea is spot on. I will continue.
“In the discussion between referees, chief referees, former players and coaches on certain rules, I was impressed by the almost unanimity of the players, to the great surprise of the referees.
“The gap is evident, the perspective is different, the player understands the intentionality of the gesture. An example is the handball, 95% of coaches and former players thought the same way.
“I’m in favour of interrupting matches as little as possible, the show isn’t about interrupting, but you have to learn to accept mistakes too. As for injuries, we play too much, but the player’s voice is never heard.”
He was asked about the idea of accepting a director role at a Saudi Arabian club.
“For my job, alternatives to Milan are very limited. I could never go to another Italian team, if necessary I would only evaluate the offer of a high-level foreign team. I like it win and build. Saudi Arabia could be a stimulating option, who knows…”
Finally, Maldini reflected on Milan’s efforts to build a new stadium, the challenges faced and the future of that project.
“It was a cause for conflict. I couldn’t put my face on a project with 55 to 60,000 seats, almost all corporate and with very few popular tickets. I couldn’t leave such a legacy to the new Milan generations. I couldn’t support this plan.
“I fought to make it clear that we needed a bigger stadium with some seats accessible to all. The average of over 70,000 spectators at San Siro last season proves that I was right. A new, modern San Siro and welcoming is fundamental.
“The idea that the new stadium provides €80m more to invest on the market needs to be reevaluated, as demonstrated by last season’s numbers. When I talked about the potential and uniqueness that Milan has compared to other clubs, I probably caused laughter.
“But I know it’s like this. If there was the possibility, and the mayor is absolutely responsible for this, I would build the stadium at San Siro, perhaps again with Inter. After five years, not only is there no the first brick, but we don’t even know where the stadium will be built.
“It doesn’t seem like a great success to me. The new San Siro would also be a great opportunity for the revaluation of the area, it’s green intended for the citizens of an area of Milan that risks abandonment.
“Over the last 10 years, Milan have once again become a driving force in Europe because we have overcome old mental barriers. We must be afraid of degradation, not of the future. The current San Siro is iconic, but let’s realize that it was the great champions who played there who made it so.
“It’s still fantastic from a sporting point of view, but we need a new story, the past is the past, Milan have always looked to the future.”