Ivan Gazidis, CEO of AC Milan, granted an interview to Sky Sport. Here are his words:
What are the differences between being a CEO in England and doing it in Italy?
"I am in love with this city. During this difficult period that we have lived I have seen the strength and feelings of the Italians. I feel Milanese. I had three careers, one in the United States when I was young, we had an idea of creating a new league in the United States. After that I worked as technical director for the United States league. It was a technical role. Then I arrived at Arsenal with Wenger. Wenger was a great man, incredible. He was a coach and a technical director."
"Now at Milan it is necessary to have a total vision. It is a dream in a certain sense. We have not won anything, but we are on the right path. The night I dream, like the fans. I dream for the club, for this season"
How are you experiencing this moment?
"It's like we're in a dream, but we haven't won anything. We are on the right track. We work every day. The focus is La Spezia. At night I dream like the fans, but in the morning I work, this is our attitude."
Is it true that you were walking around Milan with your teacher to learn the language?
"Yes, that is true. One day my teacher told me: 'I have a challenge to offer you: you have to find San Siro'. The first day in Milan, I walked from the Navigli to San Siro, on foot: it took me 3 hours."
On Ralf Rangnick:
"For me, the decision was always open. I've always told Stefano Pioli and he understood it. In Milan, the choice must be made on sporting merit."
On Pioli:
"Pioli is a very intelligent man. In a way, we can say that it is simple. But also very profound. Stefano immediately understood that we are under pressure in this sport. It came at a difficult time for the club. The impressive thing is that Stefano focused on work. He did not complain about the situation and the rumors. This is the most important thing. He has proven to everyone that he has the ability to run such a big club. I am in love with Stefano."
On Paolo Maldini:
"With Maldini, at the beginning, we had differences in culture as well as language. But now, we are growing together. Our relationship has now become solid and it shows. Paolo represents the club and its history. I hope he remains here for a long time to come. In Milan there are many stories. They may be with Pioli, Maldini, Massara,and Ibra. Relationships are very strong. There is unity. I think it’s possible to see it in the team and in the club. But we don’t always agree.”
On the renewal of Donnarumma and Calhanoglu:
"We want them to stay here, they are important, we are doing everything in our power. We will do everything possible to keep the"m. But it will also be a choice of the players that we will respect but I am confident for an agreement."
On the possibility to see Zlatan Ibrahimovic renewing his deal with Milan:
"Absolutely, Zlatan feels emotion for this club. It is a special challenge that he feels a lot: to lead a group towards new levels. Can Ibra stay for the future? Why not."
On the Covid-19 period and its impact on Milan:
"This period of Covid-19 has shown that football cannot go on like this. Milan had a hard time. The revenues were few. We were low on resources and the expenses were high. It was hard to have a healthy budget and improve performances of the team. But the challenge is great and it is ongoing. This club must not depend on one person. We are doing everything to bring Milan back to the top, it is not easy, we have not won anything, but the challenge is still ongoing."
On Elliott's vision:
"Elliott has the vision of a Milan that is on top: global, but with local values, progressive, playing in the most beautiful modern stadium in the world. It is especially important to us now to have such a strong ownership."
On the new stadium project:
"The stadium is the basis of modern sport, it is a duty to think not only about today, but about tomorrow, 10, 20 years from now. It is necessary to have a futuristic stadium with everything the fans of the future need."
On Milan's financial and sporting results:
"I do not want to see our AC Milan in trouble in the field or economically. These two aspects should be going together."
Will the Derby be the Scudetto match decider?
"We are at the beginning of the journey, not at the end. Our project is long-term, it's not just linked to this season. I have made and will make mistakes, but I promise I will and will do everything for the interests of the club. I arrived here because I have a dream for the club, a football dream, but it will only come true through work."
Thoughts on Women's football?
"Even here, there was also prejudice."
The position on racism:
“We all have prejudice. Nobody is perfect and this problem is found everywhere in football. Football reflects society. But football leads the company."
Does Elliott dream too?
"Absolutely, but dreams must be accompanied by work. We are an inclusive, progressive club, that's why it was and is important to have the women's team. As well as the work we do in the racism area, this is not just a football club, it is much more than that."
