In the official announcement Milan released yesterday to confirm the appointment of Ruben Amorim as the club’s new head coach, alongside the Portuguese manager’s first comments there were also remarks from Gerry Cardinale. In doing so, the Rossoneri owner appeared to draw a line under the past and set out the manifesto for his Milan — one in which the key decisions are made primarily by him rather than by executives acting on his behalf. The foundation of everything was the choice of coach; all other decisions will follow from that.
Milan, Cardinale Captivated by Amorim:
In previous seasons, Gerry Cardinale had never personally taken charge of selecting a new head coach. This year, however, he made it clear from the outset that he would play a central role. The American businessman therefore led the discussions with candidates for the position himself. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport this morning, Cardinale was highly impressed by Ruben Amorim, and a strong rapport developed almost immediately between owner and coach.
The RedBird chief sees in the Portuguese manager everything he had been looking for: a young coach who promotes attacking football and is capable of developing young talent. This is the blueprint for Gerry Cardinale’s new Milan, and Amorim embodies that vision. It is no coincidence that the Portuguese coach has signed a three-year contract with an option for a further year; no manager over the past four years had been offered such a lengthy agreement. It is a sign that Cardinale is launching a genuine long-term project.
The New Milan of Gerry Cardinale
An attacking, entertaining style of football is therefore the first cornerstone of Gerry Cardinale’s new Milan. But it will not be the only change. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, there are several other key elements.
The second concerns the club’s structure and overall vision. Although the final decision rested with him, the American owner sought the advice of experts, including sporting directors whom Milan hope to bring to the club in the coming days: Markus Krösche and his colleague Timmo Hardung. Both Germans reportedly gave their approval to the appointment of Amorim.
In particular, Cardinale wants complete alignment throughout the club. He expects every department and individual to perform their role in harmony with the others and in accordance with their responsibilities, avoiding the conflicts and disagreements that have characterised parts of the recent past. The ultimate objective for everyone must be the same: winning.
Finally, there is one player around whom Cardinale wants to build the team: Christian Pulisic. The Milan owner considers him untouchable, and the new coach also believes that his Milan should be built around the star of American soccer.
