MUTEIN IN MILAN: Chelsea target Mike Maignan, star left-back Theo Hernandez and midfielder Sandro Tonali ‘are all furious at Paolo Maldini facing the sack and eyeing an exit’ after Rafael Leao publicly announced his shock at the news
- Maldini has reportedly been sacked along with director of football Ricky Massara
- The pair reportedly had a tense encounter with owner Gerry Cardinale
- Several key players are dissatisfied with the decision to fire the duo
A number of senior AC Milan players are dissatisfied with the decision to sack directors Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara, according to reports in Italy.
Milan icon Maldini, who was technical director for four years, was sacked on Monday along with director of football Massara after a tense meeting with owner Gerry Cardinale.
The pair met Cardinale to discuss plans for next season following the conclusion of their Serie A campaign on Sunday, but the meeting did not go well, with both sides unable to agree on how to move the club forward amid tense discussions .
As a result, Maldini and Massara are now relieved of their duties calciomercato.
And the decision to say goodbye to them would have sparked concern in the locker room.
Several AC Milan players are dissatisfied with Paolo Maldini’s sacking (pictured)
Maldini and football director Ricky Massara (left) have reportedly been sacked by Milan
People like Theo Hernandez (left) and Mike Maignan (right) are not happy with the decision
La Republic report that goalkeeper Mike Maignan and defender Theo Hernandez are among the Milan players disappointed by the departures of Maldini and Massara and are now considering whether to leave this summer.
Maignan, who has played at San Siro for the past two years after joining from Lille, has been linked with a move to Chelsea in recent months as the Blues intensify their search for a shot-stopper to replace current No. 1 Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The 27-year-old defender has a contract until 2026, although his future at Milan is now in doubt.
As for Hernandez, the France left-back has spent four years at Milan after joining from Real Madrid in 2019, making 167 appearances for the club and winning the Serie A title in 2021-22.
He also has three years left on his contract, but the sacking of Maldini and Massara would also make him think about his future.
According to Italian journalist Daniele Longo, midfielder Sandro Tonali is another Milanese player who has not taken Maldini’s departure well, as he has always idolized the legendary defender and had posters of him on his wall as a child.
In a dramatic 24 hours for Milan, veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic also announced his retirement from football on Sunday.
Midfielder Sandro Tonali is another player disappointed that Maldini is leaving the San Siro
Rafael Leao posted a surprised facial emoji to suggest he’s unhappy with Maldini’s departure
It is believed that Cardinale has not parted ways with Ibrahimovic, despite his service to the club over two separate spells, with the owner avoiding a visit to their Milanello training complex on Monday.
Milan managed to convince star striker Rafael Leao to sign a new long-term contract last week, but the Portuguese star may already be thinking about his future following the sackings of Maldini and Massara.
Leao posted a surprised face emoji on Twitter on Monday night, suggesting he is not happy with the club’s decision to let Maldini go.