AC Milan might not be getting Andoni Iraola from Bournemouth, but they could try for another of their key figures.
Corriere dello Sport report that – in defiance of traditional procedure – the remaining leadership at Milan are attempting to hire a coach before finalising the positions of technical director, sporting director and CEO. Or, at the very least, they’re conducting negotiations simultaneously.
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There have also been contacts, for example, with Ralf Rangnick. In a press conference on Wednesday, he neither confirmed nor denied the discussions with Milan.
“Perhaps everyone noticed that something extraordinary happened at AC Milan last weekend. My only point of contact regarding contractual matters is and remains the Austrian Federation,” he said.
Rangnick will be Austria’s coach until the end of the World Cup, so working as technical director for the Rossoneri while also playing for the national team is certainly not advisable in times of total upheaval.
Using a platform
For the role of sporting director, the Rossoneri are relying on Charles Gould’s Retexo platform, one already used a few years ago by the Friedkins at Roma. Gould is reportedly endorsing the candidacy of Tiago Pinto, formerly of Roma but now at Bouremouth, where he built something great with Iraola.
What is the platform? As they state: “Retexo Group is the leading analytics and advisory firm in the global football industry, helping current and prospective owners evaluate club opportunities.
“Employing datasets, research, analytics and bespoke statistical models, we enable our clients to maximise revenue while reducing costs through optimised player development and trading, from first team to academy level.”
Charles Gould’s career consulting and analytics work on behalf of Real Madrid, The Friedkin Group & AS Roma, Wrexham AFC, Olympique de Marseille, Athletic Club, RSC Anderlecht, Club América, the Australian A-Leagues and the Mexican Football Federation.