Milan owner Gerry Cardinale has announced his intention to “review” the club’s organizational structure this summer. He revealed that he has already spoken with coach Massimiliano Allegri, emphasizing that failing to qualify for the Champions League would be considered a “failure.”
The Rossoneri’s recent form has been concerning, with only one win in their last five Serie A matches, putting their Champions League spot at risk. Currently level on points with Roma with only two games remaining, tensions are high at San Siro, with fans expressing frustration towards the management and players.
In a rare interview with Corriere della Sera and Gazzetta, Cardinale stated, “I usually don’t give interviews, as I think words don’t count much, facts must do the talking, but I understand that in a moment like this, it’s fair to send a clear signal.” He acknowledged the team’s strong performance for most of the season, leading the title race until the Lazio game, but expressed disappointment with the recent slump.
Addressing claims that his primary focus is profitability over trophies, Cardinale retorted, “To say that I care more about money than winning is absurd.” He highlighted his history of winning and asserted that the idea of him pursuing success without aiming for the top position is “ridiculous.” He clarified his role: “My part is to provide the financial resources to field a competitive team, not just in Serie A but, hopefully, in Europe too. This is my job, and I’m pretty good at doing it.”
“Winning remains the priority, and I can ensure that everyone wants to win. Not winning the title has been a disappointment; if we don’t qualify for the Champions League, it’s a failure,” he declared, citing player injuries as a factor but ultimately stating, “When it doesn’t happen, it’s a failure.”
Cardinale appealed for support, saying, “The team is stumbling, so I’d like to tell everyone who cares about the team to support it rather than discourage it.” He admitted to sharing the fans’ anger and frustration, feeling a personal responsibility to rectify the situation. “I wake up every morning with the desire to win and with a deep sense of disappointment and frustration when we don’t make it,” he confessed.
The owner insisted on his investment in Milan, noting, “Since I took over at Milan, we’ve achieved financial results beyond expectations and generated positive cash flow for the first time in the club’s history.” He clarified that these funds are reinvested, not pocketed, and pointed out that Milan has spent more than any other Serie A club in the transfer market over the last three seasons. “Now, maybe we didn’t spend it in the best way, but I’d give myself a higher grade for the money I invested than for how we spent it. We need to do a better job, so there’s a direct correlation between spending and winning. We haven’t achieved that yet.”
Cardinale confirmed that a comprehensive review of the club’s organization will take place this summer. “So yes, everyone should expect that every season where performances fall below expectations, everything will be reassessed, and I will reassess everyone and everything this summer.” He has already discussed matters with Allegri and plans to focus on improving the organizational structure, from coaching and recruitment to academies.
Acknowledging his own mistakes, he described the experience as “the hardest thing I’ve ever done” but vowed to persevere. He highlighted the unique cultural context of football in Italy and the importance of understanding it as an American owner.
Cardinale also touched on broader issues within Italian football, lamenting the lack of focus on infrastructure and the widening gap in TV rights revenues with the Premier League. He stressed the need for money to compete globally and the importance of adapting to the Italian landscape with the help of local expertise.
Regarding the potential new stadium, Cardinale stated, “It’s not a real estate operation. It’s not an ego project.” He explained it as a means to improve Milan’s financial standing, attract top players, and provide a world-class facility for the city of Milan.