Maldini: Milan’s owners were angry because of the deal between Nasser and others and stripped me of my powers

Paolo Maldini, former technical director of the Italian club Milan, revealed that the club’s management questioned his choices related to the assignment deals that included Algerian international Ismail Bennacer and a number of players who later proved their worth on the field.

Maldini said in statements to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica that the club’s management summoned him and two colleagues to one of the headquarters of the company that owns the club in London, and stripped them of many powers. As an expression of its anger at the appointment of Ben Nasser, Liao, and Theo Hernandez, who, in his opinion, were not adequately appreciated.

Paolo Maldini & Ismaël Bennacer ✨ pic.twitter.com/7wegD1pita

— JDZ Football (@JDZFootball) July 15, 2021

He explained that this administration did not believe in the technical capabilities of the players it brought in, including Bennacer, because of their young age (21 years old for the Algerian international at the time).

He continued, “I saw the criticism directed at the De Ketelaer deal, but I still remember that Leao, Ismail Bennacer and Theo Hernandez were not appreciated enough.

Paolo Maldini concluded by saying that he was well aware that Bennacer and his other colleagues could go far in the world of professional sports, thanks to the talents they acquired. He expressed his satisfaction that his expectations were realized on the ground.

AC Milan director Paolo Maldini tells Sky: “We’re now in talks to extend the contracts of Ismael Bennacer, Pierre Kalulu and Rafa Leão. We want them to stay, it’s also up to the players”. 🔴⚫️ #AC Milan

“We turned down Chelsea verbal bid for Leão”, Maldini has confirmed. pic.twitter.com/yn387kl8cC

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 15, 2022

Bin Nasser shined with the Milan team. This prompted many major European clubs to be interested in his services, led by Arsenal and Liverpool, despite the player renewing his contract with the Rossoneri last January for 4 and a half years.

The former technical director of Milan said that his dismissal deprived the Rossoneri of winning the Champions League title.

The Rossoneri reached the semi-finals of the Champions League last season 2022-2023, before being eliminated by their traditional rival Inter.

Maldini added, “The owners of Milan asked for a plan to win the Champions League, and I prepared it, but after that they did not respond, because Cardinale (the club owner) had already decided to dismiss me.”

Pictures from Milan being crowned champion of the Italian League for the 19th time in its history pic.twitter.com/WJWsH7ztF5

– Football news (@neews_sports) May 23, 2022

The gap between Maldini and the club’s owners widened after his statements following the elimination from the Champions League semi-finals against arch-neighbor Inter Milan, where he said, “From last summer, I said that we were not ready to compete for two championships (the league and the Champions League),” after winning the league title. The Italian in the 2021-2022 season.

Accordingly, the Red Bird Group, which owns Milan, began updating its strategic approach, as it terminated the work of Jeffrey Mwankada, a talent scout working for Milan, which upset Maldini.

Red Bird wants to approve technical and administrative reports and prepare data and statistics before contracting with any player or talent, which is an approach completely far from Maldini’s method of work.

Red Bird had dismissed Maldini from the position of technical director, after the end of last season, due to a difference in views between the two parties.