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Jovan Kirovski – the technical director of Milan Futuro – has explained what the project hopes to achieve, as well as some exits and signings.
Kirosvki was brought in to oversee the Milan Futuro project in the summer of 2024, given his previous relationship with Zlatan Ibrahimovic at LA Galaxy. The first season ended with relegation to Serie D, which led to many reports that his stay at Milan would be just one year.
However, Kirosvki ended up remaining into year two, and while results have been better (the Futuro currently occupy a play-off spot in Serie D) there remain doubts about his future. Matteo Moretto revealed that his deal expires in June, and talks over a renewal are going nowhere.
Kirovski breaks silence
During an episode of Milan TV’s ‘L’ Inferno del Lunedì’, they aired an exclusive interview with Kirovski. Speaking for the first time in Italy, the director discussed the plans for the present and the future of the project, after the initial setback. MilanNews relayed his words.
What is the project’s ultimate goal?
“I’ve worked and played in many other countries: Germany, England, even the United States. Different cultures, different football. But we’re in Italy and we have a strong culture: the important thing is that we change the process and mentality a little. We’re here to help our players develop.
“Barcelona or Bayern Munich have second teams and play in the third or fourth division: the important thing is that the players play in difficult situations, in Serie C or Serie D with adults. This is real football for our young players: all the matches are difficult, that’s very, very important.”
Is this the meaning of Milan Futuro, more than results?
“We also want to win every game, because I think it’s important for Milan to put pressure on our players because when they arrive at San Siro, they’ll play under pressure. But our number one goal is to help them grow.
“Our example is Bartesaghi: he played in the youth academy, Primavera, Milan Futuro and reached the first team, an example for everyone. But we have other examples: Jimenez played in the Primavera and Futuro, then we sold him to another team at another level.”
Maximilian Ibrahimovic left the club, among some other players…
“Maxi played very well, we had an opportunity to play at a different level, so okay, we sold him to Ajax. Dutu played in the Primavera last year and then in the Futuro, we thought he was better off at another level [Dinamo Bucharest].
“And for Diego Sia, it would also have been better to play at a different level in Spain [Mirandes]. But the number one objective is the first team.”
Is there added responsibility to nurture and develop Italian talent?
“It’s important to have young players who are Milan fans and want to play for AC Milan, and it’s important to have players coming to Milan. We have many players in the national team who we want to develop technically and tactically.
“We’re an Italian team: Italian players come first for us. It’s true that other international players also arrive, but the Italians are the number one.”
What is your relationship with Vincenzo Vergine, the head of the youth sector?
“I speak with Vincenzo every day, more than with my wife. It’s important to look at everything together: vision, strategy. We have players who train here at Milanello, young players who always play in the Primavera, where we are the youngest of all.
“We are certainly the youngest with Milan Futuro. It’s important that we have a clear philosophy and strategy, working together.”
There were some new January arrivals…
“We worked well with our scouting team. We brought in four different, physically strong players. Malick Cissè played with Senegal U17 at the World Cup. Also, Italians like Sardo and Alphadjo Cissè, super talents. Now the important thing for us is to work with these talents.”
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