The strong man in danger: Milan's silent revolution threatens to clip Ibrahimovic's claws
Cardinale leads sweeping changes at Milan
Milan have undergone a radical transformation this summer, and not only on the pitch. A disappointing season and a testing finish to the campaign left the management under serious pressure, and owner Gerry Cardinale responded by adopting a more hands-on approach.
According to the website "Foot Mercato", Cardinale has long faced criticism for keeping his distance from the day-to-day running of the Rossoneri. This time he stepped things up. He intensified his visits to Italy, held meetings, and opened discussions with various departments across the sporting side.
Bold decisions and a comprehensive restructuring followed. The change reached the technical staff too, with new coach Ruben Amorim arriving, while the summer transfer window confirmed the appetite to start afresh with major investments, particularly the signings of Gonçalo Ramos, Diego Moreira and Mario Gila.
After years of management built heavily on delegation, Cardinale now wants to sit at the heart of the decision-making process and push the sporting project back to the top of his priorities.
This new philosophy inevitably shifts the balance within the club. Cardinale has no wish to repeat the model of his early years in charge, when many executives enjoyed considerable autonomy and the American owner appeared relatively detached from Milan's daily operations.
Discussions have become more collective. Decisions must be taken jointly, and each department is expected to work in a more integrated manner. The huge summer window embodies this new approach, as does the drive to quickly hand the new coach the resources he needs and a squad built to his requirements. But the transformation does not stop at the players or the technical staff.
The board is also weighing up a new head of the football sector, with Markus Krösche among the leading candidates. It all proves Cardinale still wants to reshape his sporting institution.
No individual should hold absolute authority in the structure the owner envisions, with all decisions referred directly to him. A silent but profound revolution, and one that could affect one of the most firmly established men at the club: Milan's advisor, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Swede officially remains an advisor and keeps a close relationship with Cardinale, yet his position may be directly affected by this new structure.
Since his return to Milan, Ibrahimovic has gradually established himself as a pivotal figure in the "RedBird" project, wielding considerable influence over sporting affairs and enjoying privileged access to the owner. His charismatic personality, his history with the Rossoneri, and his close relationship with Cardinale have allowed him to settle into a very comfortable position within the club.
The new structure envisioned by the American owner may reduce that unique position, according to the Italian press.
Building a genuine team, with clearly defined responsibilities, and the possibility of appointing a head of the football sector with extensive experience in sporting management, may inevitably shrink the space the former striker currently occupies.
The idea is not necessarily to sideline Ibrahimovic, given how strong the relationship between the two men remains, but rather to radically change his role.
At Milan, where Cardinale now prioritises skills, structure and the collective over strong personalities, the Swede's influence no longer looks as impregnable as it did a few months ago.
That is precisely what makes the situation so intriguing at the start of this season. Ibrahimovic is not officially under threat, and nothing points to a parting of ways for now, but his position clearly faces a new reality.
The prospect of a new head of the football sector, the growing influence of Calvelli, and Cardinale's daily involvement could create a fresh balance in which the Swede is not necessarily the owner's main point of contact on sporting affairs.
Krösche makes a clear example. His qualifications align perfectly with the stated desire to restructure the football department and lean on genuine administrative expertise.
Should the German join Milan with significant responsibilities, Ibrahimovic's role would inevitably need redefining. The Swede currently holds a pivotal position in the Rossoneri environment, yet Cardinale's Milan in 2026 no longer wishes to operate under one strong man.
The owner has decided to regain control, increase investments, and rebuild the club. This development may ultimately destroy the role that still looked impregnable for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
