Cardinale on new Milan’s pre-season plans: ‘Only in the United States’ if they travel abroad

Gerry Cardinale says Milan will only play in the United States if they are to travel overseas for pre-season friendlies, but warns: ‘They must add value for the squad, not just make a couple of million for the club; Amorim will make the decision.’

Milan owner Cardinale says the Rossoneri are not planning to play summer friendlies outside of Italy, except for the United States.

“We have already spoken with Amorim about it, and I will just tell you that if we play friendlies abroad, next summer they will be in the United States. If we play them,” Cardinale said in an interview with Gazzetta.

“We haven’t decided yet, and Ruben [Amorim] will make the decision, based on what is best for the team. Playing friendlies abroad must add value for the squad, not just make a couple of million for the club. That couple of million will no longer be our objective as it was under the old management. Under this ownership, that will no longer happen.

“Everything we arrange in terms of friendlies will be carefully considered together with our manager. Every single journey,” Cardinale added.

“And we will not take part in tours organised by others. We put our players first. We want to help them prepare well to win. That is our objective, and we aim to achieve it as soon as possible.”

Milan hired Amorim as their new coach last summer. The former Manchester United boss signed a three-year contract with the Serie A giants.

Formally, the coach’s contract runs out in June 2029, but the agreement with the Rossoneri includes an option for a further campaign.

Cardinale spoke to Gazzetta on Saturday to explain his vision for the newly launched Milan Sports & Entertainment, a holding company that will bring together RedBird Capital Partners’ investments in Milan-based assets, including the Rossoneri.