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Paolo Maldini has admitted that AC Milan are still the only club that he could consider working for in his mind, despite a difficult exit.
Maldini’s work as technical director culminated in the 2021-22 Scudetto win and a run to the final four of the Champions League the next season. However, he would ultimately pay the price for what Gerry Cardinale deemed to be poor recruitment, and departed in the summer of 2023.
The former captain has not really lifted the lid on his side of the story regarding the exit. Interestingly though he is yet to return to work with another club and many believe he is waiting for the right moment to go back to the Rossoneri, something Alessandro Nesta stated recently.
Paolo Maldini speaks
Maldini was interviewed at the 40th Viareggio Awards where he will be a guest this evening. Among the various topics covered were, inevitably, his former club Milan and the derby on Sunday, with TMW relaying his words.
Has Milan regained its sense of belonging?
“It seems so. Of course, I always struggle to talk about Milan, and the topics tonight will be different. But I’m happy that we’re in a better position in the standings.”
Will Italy qualify for the World Cup?
“We hope for the new generation, for the kids who have never seen a World Cup, for Rino, and for all of us who are still fans of the Azzurri.”
Is Gattuso the right coach?
“When they appointed him coach, I thought it was an excellent idea, because he embodies the spirit of the Italian national team. Times have changed, many teams have improved: all the other national teams are evolving, and we must keep pace.”
The derby is on Sunday…
“It’ll be a close match. The derby is strange: we lost 6-7 in a row and won the league, then we started winning again and things didn’t go well. The derby doesn’t really determine the final result.”
A comment on Pioli?
“It’s a shame. Honestly, it’s very difficult to understand why from the outside. Florence isn’t an easy environment, but I honestly thought and hoped he’d do better.”
There was talk of your possible arrival at Fiorentina to replace Pradè…
“My cousin who lives in Tuscany called me and I told him ‘Look, I don’t know anything’ (laughs). For me, honestly, in Italy there’s only one team and that’s how it will be.”
So, could you return abroad?
“In Italy and abroad (laughs).”
How do you see the Scudetto race?
“Conte is under pressure. It’s his way of dealing with life and football: in the end, I think Inter, Juve, and Napoli will be in contention. If Milan can maintain this position, you’ll ultimately give it a try.”
Are you a ‘new’ Maldini?
“Comparisons are never good; everyone should be themselves. I know this because I’ve been compared first to my dad and then to Cabrini for many things, but they’re never good.”
Does football no longer have bandieri (one-club men)?
“Now football is more open to foreign teams, and the same goes for players. When I started, there was only one foreigner, now there are many.”
English (US) ·