The international break is over, but at Milan, the issue of appointing a 'Head of Football' (or, more simply, a sporting director) has once again resurfaced, as it periodically does.
With the possibility of bringing in German executive Markus Krösche now definitively ruled out, both familiar and new names are circulating as potential candidates for the role. The position would serve as a link between Ruben Amorim and Gerry Cardinale in managing day-to-day affairs at Milanello, as well as in planning transfer-market activity and strengthening the squad currently at the Portuguese coach’s disposal, as relayed via Tuttosport in this morning's print edition.
One candidate who would welcome the opportunity to work at Milan is Medhi Benatia. The former Roma and Juventus defender, now sporting director of Olympique Marseille, is keen to embark on a new adventure in Italy, and Milan would obviously represent a highly significant and prestigious step in his career.
But he is not the only one. During the summer, Milan also explored the profiles of Devin Özek and José Boto, the architect of the formidable Flamengo side that won the most recent Brazilian league title and, above all, the Copa Libertadores. Flamengo currently sit top of the Brasileirão and have reached the semifinals of South America's Champions League.
The position left vacant by Igli Tare following his dismissal at the end of May is certainly an attractive one, and it cannot be ruled out that other candidates may emerge for consideration by Gerry Cardinale himself, who will, as always, be the man making the final decisions.
This will remain a recurring topic until Cardinale makes his definitive choice, even though he demonstrated over the summer that he had taken control of transfer-market operations, with the support of Hendrik Almstadt and Bobby Gardiner, as well as the collaboration of Jorge Mendes. Mendes was the most active agent in Milan's transfer dealings, having orchestrated the moves that brought Gonçalo Ramos from Paris Saint-Germain and Diego Moreira from Strasbourg to the Rossoneri.
In any case, Cardinale intends to find someone who can relieve him of some day-to-day responsibilities while working harmoniously with both him and Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese coach is expecting some improvements to the squad during the January transfer window, reinforcements that were not secured over the summer.
Meanwhile, the assessments are continuing, and it is reasonable to expect developments in the coming weeks.
