Zvonimir Boban gave a long interview to Radio Deejay.Here are his words on his impact on football when working for FIFA and UEFA:
"Maybe in changing the culture towards the passion for football, which should always be the guiding principle. I didn’t do much to change the usual technocracy and the football politicians who, when it comes to decision-making, always choose either politics or their own interests. In that regard, I was useless. As for the rest, I did some things in football, cleaned up FIFA a bit in the first three years. But people don’t think about major institutions, especially whether they are working properly or if the damages and scandals of the past are no longer happening."
On the issue of ultras and mafia infiltration:
"We've always known there were some strange things going on, with many people having dubious interests. This is concerning, and it’s not easy for the clubs either. I can’t accuse people a priori of things I don’t know they did."
On leaving his role as a director at AC Milan. Why did it happen?
"For an interview that I found perfectly legitimate. After just a few months, we found ourselves without support or trust. They wanted to bring in Rangnick, and discussions had already begun. We weren’t able to have a clear conversation. At that moment, after fixing the transfer market, after changing the coach — where we had the courage to admit our mistake, which we hadn’t expected but made in good faith — after the January transfer window, with the arrival of important players like Kjaer, Saelemaekers, and Ibrahimovic and the departure of Suso and Piatek, we weren’t able to clarify our position. So, I had to make it public because the ownership had already begun contacting Rangnick for the following season, which was also confirmed in an interview Rangnick gave. I gave an interview to 'La Gazzetta dello Sport,' which I believe was very fair, and they fired me for just cause. We're still in court; I'm sorry, but that’s life."
On his relationship with Paolo Maldini:
"It’s great. Paolo and I are friends, and I hope and believe we will be for life. I have no problems with anyone: I love, support, and watch Milan with great interest. I've heard a lot of comments, but I am who I am, and I say what I think."
Do you hold a grudge against Milan?
"What does Milan have to do with it? Milan has nothing to do with the ownership. If you support Milan, you love Milan, and that’s it. I understand that people don’t like imposed opinions, but I don’t impose anything; I just say my piece. Maybe I’ll be wrong, and when I am, I’ll admit it. But I have to say what I think, even for Milan's sake. But I’m not the one pulling the strings, I just voice my opinion like everyone else. Even the people watching the games, nine times out of ten, they think the same way. There was an issue because I said Milan didn’t play well for an hour against Bayer Leverkusen: if someone says they did play well, they don’t understand anything about football. If that's the problem, what can I do?"
Giovanni Branchini says the level of international football has dropped. Do you agree, or is the problem something else?
"We see fewer and fewer of those stars who used to be in the teams, that romance that we’ve always loved. Already in the '80s, this tactical trend was starting to take shape. So, in part, it's true, but I don’t entirely agree: for example, the number 8 who dribbles is gone. We’ve been killing off the number 10 for a long time. With the 4-4-2, we killed off the midfielders. With Barcelona's 4-3-3, at least the number 8 came back with Iniesta, who was ideal. I paid the price for this tactical shift, having to play either as a defensive midfielder or on the left wing. I've been saying for years that there are fewer midfielders who inspire us, who maintain and enhance the beauty of football, and who have courage. But now, even this goalkeeper-centric game is ridiculous."
You left Milan and UEFA. Could it be that you’re not suited for certain managerial roles? Boban replied:
"Probably, yes. I spent almost four years at FIFA, three at UEFA, and then you have to look at the facts. I left FIFA because I wanted to try my hand at Milan, given the situation they were in, and because Paolo had called me to help him and to share an experience that could have meant the world to me. I left UEFA for reasons of principle, but you need to look into the specifics."
Can we say you stand by your values, not by positions?
"I hope and believe so."
On the Lassana Diarra case:
"It’s a complicated, strange, and heavy story. It seems the boy was quite mistreated due to laws being applied incorrectly. I believe many rules are good, and the institutions safeguard many things. I believe in the institutions, but they need to do better too."
