Fabio Capello, former AC Milan coach, has spoken to La Gazzetta dello Sport about Zlatan Ibrahimovic's new role at the club:
"They are two very different paths, there is no automatic consequence. If before Ibra chose the best for himself, working in a group he must be able to make some compromises, without selfishness. 'It's done this way, period,' can only be said by those who truly command, namely the club owner. And many aspects influence certain decisions, some of which will be new to him: for example, considering the budgets."
An advice to Zlatan?
"He will have to maintain his personality and the courage to take on responsibilities. In this, he must not change. But he should also use the intelligence he has to adapt to the role. Knowing where and when to intervene to benefit everyone, being open to discussion."
Capello continued:
"Ibra is certainly a dominant figure, positive as a player for Milan and for Pioli himself, the results have clearly shown that. However, today the reality changes quite a bit. If the question is: "Will Pioli feel less alone with him?" the answer could be yes, especially if the boundaries are well defined beyond all the diplomacy that accompanied his return. Similarly, it's the aspect that worries me the most: a figure that can relate to the team doesn't overshadow the coach's leadership towards the group? After the departure of Maldini and Massara, does the ownership believe that Pioli has performed less well and therefore needs a 'collaborator'? A coach needs to maintain total credibility with his interlocutors."
What is needed to do well:
"Everything. I remember that Berlusconi made me attend management courses, psychology, and more: I will never stop thanking him for this, they were all important moments of training. Zlatan no longer has the ball at his feet, he must learn to have an impact in another way, and for this, it will take time for him too, a kind of apprenticeship period", said Capello, "But Ibra himself will have to commit, study, understand, and learn what to do. There is a big difference between being part of a locker room and not being part of it but still having a say, and Ibra, I repeat, will have to be intelligent in managing the new role."
On the off-field responsibilities, Capello said:
"He has never been afraid of responsibilities, fortunately. Of course, if he participates in technical decisions at a managerial level, he could end up being held accountable along with the club. But first, it is necessary to clarify the relationships with the coach, and above all, how Ibrahimovic will fit into the relationship between Pioli and the team."
