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Simon Kjaer has opened up about his AC Milan departure, the Scudetto memories, the current state of the club and more in a long interview published this morning.
Kjaer played a key part in Milan’s Scudetto win in 2021-22, even if he was missing for the second half of the season due to injury. With his experience in the dressing room, combined with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Rossoneri were able to surprise everyone on the pitch.
After the 2023-24 season, as his contract with the club expired, Kjaer waved goodbye to the fans at San Siro and moved on to other things. While joining another club was initially an option on the table, the centre-back eventually decided to retire.
In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, which was published this morning, Kjaer discussed his departure from Milan, the current (improved) situation of the club and his future. Furthermore, he also shared his thoughts on some of the Rossoneri players.
Kjaer in Danish sounds very similar to “kaer,” which means “beloved.” Does this describe your relationship with AC Milan fans?
“I’m a fan of Milan and Denmark, while I want the others [clubs played for] to do well: it’s different. The Milan fans understand that.”
The 2022 Scudetto sums it all up. What memories do you have from that?
“In 2022, when a teammate parked at Milanello, I could see the joy of being there on his face. The match against Lazio was the decisive push. Ibra created tension, both positive and negative. He just wanted to win.
“Pioli was very good at understanding the moments, and we were good at managing the chaos Ibra created. Sometimes you had to put a hand on his shoulder and tell him ‘calm down, breathe.’ But Zlatan taught me a lot.”
This chemistry wasn’t there in 2024-25. From the outside, what happened?
“For me, there have been too many changes. At every level. I won’t say more because I would have to talk about things I know from my friends, and this is confidential. Of course, I was hurt like all the fans, and now I’m much better.”
What is Allegri’s AC Milan like?
“It’s Milan again. If you bring Modric and Rabiot, you gain experience… and experience is one of the most underrated things these days. For me, they can win the Scudetto because they have the right coach. Now you know who’s in charge. Last year, I don’t know.”
Is Matteo Gabbia the heir of Simon Kjaer?
“Yes, I love him. It’s hard to find a more professional player: he’s ready to sacrifice himself for Milan.”
And Leao? Does it make sense to ask him to be more consistent?
“Yes, it makes sense, I’ll ask that from him too. Rafa can be one of the best in the world. If only he learned a little from Gabbia… Dembélé won the Ballon d’Or and Rafa can be at the same level. He needs to develop 1% a day.
“In my opinion, he can’t do it alone; few can do it alone. He needs a coach and a club to help him. He’s 26, and at 29 it will be too late: either now or he doesn’t get there. There are so much pressure on his shoulders and it’s not easy.”
Let’s talk about the derby. Is it true that Inter wanted you in 2008…?
“Yes, Inter were interested in signing me and Real Madrid sent an offer to Midtjylland. Then Palermo signed me.”
Who is the favourite on Sunday?
“Inter are playing at home, right? Then I’d say 60-40 for Inter. There’s a balance on the pitch.”
Enough about Milan, let’s talk about Simon Kjaer. Your farewell to football came after six months of inactivity. What happened?
“I learned that Milan wouldn’t be renewing my contract in September 2023. So I started thinking about what terms I wanted. I had a couple of options, but I realised I’d have to compromise. And my wife and I decided that, on these things, compromises aren’t something you can make.”
What offers arrived?
“Many, some in the Champions League between Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands. But none came close to a yes.”
Was it hard to quit?
“Yes, it was difficult but my choice wasn’t made from one month to the next, and that helps. Of course, I miss my friends and teammates.”
Why stay and live in Italy?
“Because we’re happy here. I quit for the kids, to take them to soccer and be with them. So far, I’ve lost more than half their lives.”
What kind of family are the Kjaers?
“It’s a mess. I speak Danish, my wife speaks Swedish, they speak English, a little Italian, it’s all mixed up.”
And the job at Midtjylland?
“I’m on the board. We replaced a coach who hadn’t lost in 18 games because we wanted to grow: there’s a huge hunger. Now I have to figure out if I want to be a sporting director, a general manager, or something else. There are some aspects of football that I don’t like.”
Which?
“There are too many vested interests. If I have a problem with you, I’ll tell you. In football, things often don’t work that way. And now I understand the game behind it.”
What changed on June 12, 2021, the day of Eriksen’s cardiac arrest?
“Everything. If Christian had passed away, I wouldn’t have played anymore. I understood that football is football, life is life. Football is work and passion, life is something else.”
Does the thought come back every day?
“No, I don’t think back, but a few days ago something happened to me. During one of my son’s games, a boy fractured his wrist and an ambulance came onto the pitch. I felt strange. But as long as Christian is okay, I’ll be okay.
“They explained to me that, in a trauma, you remember some things and others you don’t. There were 40 of us on that pitch, and we all remembered those hours together. Now I don’t know which memories are mine and which aren’t.”
Since we’re talking about emotions, let’s choose a career snapshot for each of them. Let’s start with happiness.
“The Scudetto with Milan”.
Disappointment…
“World Cup 2022. In Denmark, there was a debate about whether or not to go to Qatar. It felt like we weren’t there to play.”
Fear…
“The Euros with Christian’s cardiac arrest, of course. In Turkey, opposing fans once invaded the pitch to beat up the players and the referee. I saw the others running and I knew I had to run too…”
Amazement…
“When Theo moved across the entire pitch and scored the goal against Atalanta…”
Where will Kjaer be in five years?
“I hope to work here, working for a club. Maybe I’ll do what I’m doing with Midtjylland, but in Italy. I don’t know if it’s possible at Milan. I’ll do something that interests me. I’ll try football, otherwise… I’ll look elsewhere.”
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