CorSport: €503m spent for one trophy

AC Milan have actually invested loads of cash since RedBird Capital took over, however for the time being they’ve little or no to indicate for it.

As Corriere dello Sport write, since 2021-22 – the yr they received their nineteenth Scudetto – Milan have steadily scaled again their targets, seeing their historic rivals win each season (aside from the Supercoppa Italiana in January 2025) and overly celebrating milestones like high 4.

This yr will likely be no exception: no trophies received, Inter (or, if miracles occur, Napoli) with the Scudetto on their chest and smiles among the many Rossoneri ranks merely for a top-four end. Admittedly it is extremely a lot wanted, for sporting status and the revenues it could convey.

Cardinale’s story to this point

This decline started with the arrival of Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital fund and, extra usually, with the arrival of the brand new post-Elliott administration. The primary yr, with Paolo Maldini nonetheless on the helm, noticed the Diavolo within the Champions League semi-finals.

Then, the Milan legend was fired, and with him sporting director Ricky Massara additionally packed his luggage. A brand new period started: CEO Giorgio Furlani noticed his powers enhance even on the sporting entrance, assisted by former scout Geoffrey Moncada, who was promoted to technical director.

Milan, aided by the large sale of Sandro Tonali, made numerous acquisitions, however had been eradicated within the Champions League group stage, exited within the Europa League quarter-finals in opposition to Roma, and completed second within the league behind Inter, who received the Scudetto within the derby.

The arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic because the possession’s Senior Advisor doesn’t assist. Quite the opposite, final season, the Swede’s technical choices and people of the remainder of the administration condemned Milan to a convincing eighth-place end.

Lastly, the present season has seen the arrivals of Igli Tare and Massimiliano Allegri in an try to repair the scenario in a unending cycle. Yearly, a brand new starting, usually (reluctantly) specializing in lower than thrilling decisions, identical to with the gamers.

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But, some huge cash has been spent, totalling greater than €500m in 4 years: €62m in 2022-23, €132m in 2023-24, €139m in 2024-25 and €170m in 2025-26. The gross sales of gamers like Tonali, Theo Hernandez, Malick Thiaw and Tijjani Reijnders helped generate a complete of €315m in income.

It’s clear that, for the foreseeable future, Milan must qualify for the Champions League, and Allegri will work in direction of this. This summer time, sensible choices will likely be wanted and, above all, unity of objective among the many administration.