According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the relationship between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paulo Fonseca is falling apart not only due to poor results but also because three incidents have caused tension in the opening stages of the campaign.
Fonseca is fighting for his job, and according to Gazzetta and other Italian media, the Portuguese will be sacked if the Rossoneri lose in the derby against Inter on Sunday.
However, Fonseca’s poor results in the opening part of the campaign—just one win across all competitions so far—are not the only problem.
According to Gazzetta, tension with RedBird Advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic is growing, and the pink paper reveals three incidents that have led to friction between the coach and the director.
The first one was evident and unfolded publicly during the pre-season.
One day before the start of the campaign against Torino, Fonseca said that with Youssouf Fofana’s signing, Milan‘s transfer window would be over. However, during the Frenchman’s unveiling press conference a few days later, Ibra said that Milan’s transfer window would close when he said so.
According to Gazzetta, Fonseca didn’t appreciate Ibrahimovic’s words and informed the club about it.
The other two incidents happened behind closed doors at Milanello.
The first one was on the eve of Milan-Torino, the opening Serie A game of the season.
According to Gazzetta, Ibra gathered Milan players at the club’s training ground and spoke to the team without the coach. Something similar happened before the Liverpool game when the former striker returned to Milanello for the first time in two weeks and insisted that he was the boss, asking the players how they were doing with Fonseca.
Ibrahimovic’s role at Milan has recently been widely debated in Italy. La Repubblica reported last week that club owners don’t always appreciate his attitude, but Ibra hit back before the Liverpool game, saying: “When the lions leave, the kittens encroach. When the lion returns, the kittens disappear.”