Zlatan Ibrahimovic has shed light on his behind-the-scenes role at AC Milan since joining RedBird Capital as an advisor in December 2023.
The 44-year-old Swede said his transition from player to executive began unexpectedly after months spent with family before RedBird founder Gerry Cardinale persuaded him to return.
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Speaking to Gazzetta, Ibrahimovic recalled: “He insisted, he challenged me, and I always said no. Then I got curious. I asked him three things to agree: I have to be myself, it has to be long-term, and I’m coming back to win. He said: ‘That’s why we’re here.’”
The former striker described his work as a mix of “freedom and influence,” explaining that while he holds no formal office, he acts as the key link between RedBird’s ownership and Milan’s sporting side.
“My role hasn’t changed, it’s still the same: I represent the owners,” he said. “I don’t want to be caged in, and in fact, I didn’t want an office. I go to the people I need to talk to.”
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Reports claim Ibrahimovic played a major part in convincing summer targets Christopher Nkunku and Ardon Jashari to join Milan’s project.
At the recent ECA conference, he represented the club’s management and praised Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho as coaches who “changed” football, while backing Carlo Ancelotti to lead Brazil to World Cup success.
Milan currently sit two points behind Napoli and Roma and will face Fiorentina at San Siro on October 19.