Former centre-forward Marco Simone claims Milan ‘already planned’ to sack Zvonimir Boban, has doubts about Ralf Rangnick’s proposed role and wants to see Mauro Icardi with the Diavolo.
The former sporting director Zvonimir Boban was sacked after a controversial interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport earlier this year, but the 51-year-old Simone has claimed the Milan hierarchy were only waiting for an opportunity.
Former centre-forward Marco Simone claims Milan ‘already planned’ to sack Zvonimir Boban, has doubts about Ralf Rangnick’s proposed role and wants to see Mauro Icardi with the Diavolo.
The former sporting director Zvonimir Boban was sacked after a controversial interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport earlier this year, but the 51-year-old Simone has claimed the Milan hierarchy were only waiting for an opportunity.
“An immense loss. It was too superficial and trivial to fire him because of a controversial interview. I think they used it as a pretext, it was something they had already planned,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “When you choose Boban and Maldini, you know at the start what weight they bring.
“And they know how Milan are managed. Those who chose them had to continue with them, together.
“They were the first two important pieces to start again. Just as on the pitch, it was necessary to start with [Gennaro] Gattuso. When I heard him speak; I could hear Milan. And in environments like the Rossoneri, certain things must be ‘heard’.”
The former forward and current tactician, who has been without a job since leaving Chabab Mohammedia in November, also claimed Milan owners Elliott Management needs to create ‘relationships with the players’ at San Siro.
“It’s a cold approach. A club must be lived, relationships with the players are needed, words are needed. I see numbers and detachment instead.
“It’s not exciting, while Milan are passion. You can’t be a popsicle.”
Former RB Leipzig coach Ralf Rangnick has been linked with a sporting manager role at Milan, with CEO Ivan Gazidis reportedly planning to change the structure at Milanello.
“I have some doubts about such a figure, if it may work in Italy,” Simone said. “And his role in practice would eliminate that of Maldini,” he added. “The club must clarify how to set the managerial sphere.
“If Gazidis intends to set it up as abroad, then the relationship with Paolo should be closed and maybe Rangnick could work.”
Simone scored 74 goals in 260 games during his stint as an attacker at the Giuseppe Meazza and he suggested the Rossoneri should try to sign Paris Saint-Germain duo Edinson Cavani and Mauro Icardi.
“I would keep [Rafael] Leao, he has strength and talent,” he said. “Otherwise, if you always find some flaws to those who have talent, you need to start from scratch every time.
“Looking at [Krzysztof] Piatek, I wouldn’t have given up on him. If Ibra [Zlatan Ibrahimovic] leaves, they will miss a centre-forward. I could picture [Arkadiusz] Milik doing well, but I would try to bring Cavani and Icardi to Milan. Mauro would be a great signing and an ideal situation."