Igli Tare , Milan's sporting director, spoke during the press conference held at the Rossoneri headquarters. Here are his words, as relayed via Milannews.it:
"I’ve been at Milan for two weeks now. I want to thank the entire club for the warm welcome, which made me feel like an integral part of the group right from the start. That was fundamental for me to begin with motivation and determination. I’m joining a club with such a glorious history, and that brings with it enormous responsibility—to give my all and, above all, to help bring this club back where it belongs: at the top of Italian and European football."
Where do you feel you are right now, and what characteristics do you think the team will have by the end of the transfer window?
“I’ve had the opportunity to get a close understanding of all the issues from last season, but I don’t like looking back. I just want to learn from last year’s mistakes to ensure they aren’t repeated. In this first phase of the transfer window, we’ve tried to understand which players will leave and who could join. We’ve had many meetings with the staff, with Zlatan, Moncada, and Allegri. We’ve met several times, and I think I have a clear idea: it won’t be a revolution, but a way to focus on specific roles to make the team competitive again next season. We’ll also have more time to work during the week, which is useful to lay the foundations for the long-term project.”
What was missing from the squad last year? Have you tried to identify that? Will Modric arrive? Tare replied:
“We analyzed that, and one thing missing last year was clear leadership within the squad. I may not know all the dynamics firsthand, but I think the signing of Modric addresses this exactly—he’s a hugely influential figure in world football. I spoke to him personally, and he still has a great desire to compete. His arrival is key to being a reference point for a team that needs players of that stature. He won’t be the only one—we’ll add one or two more experienced players who can also serve as leaders for our young talents.”
What do you think of Granit Xhaka and Ardon Jashari?
“Our starting point is that midfield will be the area we intervene in most. That’s something we discussed with the coach in terms of profiles and characteristics this team needs. The names you mentioned are alternatives—great players—but ultimately, we have to make the right choice based on what we need. We believe it’s important to raise the overall quality of the team’s play.”
What’s the thinking behind Theo Hernandez’s situation?
“Everyone knows Theo’s qualities—he’s given a lot to this club. But these decisions also stem from his own desire to seek a new experience. We’ve accepted that as a normal part of the process, especially with my arrival and a new coach: we’re trying to build a different kind of team. His departure isn’t finalized yet—we’re working on it. I understand there’s urgency in reporting the news, but you must understand our challenges: things change every minute, every hour. It’s in progress but not done yet. We need to wait.”
Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani said there won’t be a revolution, but with departures like Tijjani Reijnders, Theo Hernandez, and possibly Mike Maignan… Will Maignan stay?
“Maignan is not leaving—he’ll be at Milan next season. There was interest from a Premier League club, but no agreement was reached. We know Maignan is a reference point, both on and off the pitch. We’ve decided to count on him and move forward together. The market is unpredictable, but for us, he remains a key pillar of this team. We’re trying to bring enthusiasm back, and for that, we’re identifying what we need to improve this already strong squad.”
Have you spoken with the senior players? What’s the mood?
“Looking at other clubs who had difficult seasons and bounced back the following year, the same can happen with Milan.”
What’s the situation in attack? Is Gimenez the reference point? Will you pursue other options like Kean or Vlahovic?
“We’re planning to act on the wings if someone leaves. As for the center-forward, we’re looking for another player to compete with Gimenez, who I consider an excellent player. But he’s had a normal adaptation period coming from a very different style of football in the Netherlands. So we have full confidence in him, but we need another striker. We’re taking the time to figure out what shape the team will take. But we’re clear on the type of striker: a true No. 9 who makes the difference in the box—something we’ve lacked since Giroud left.”
What about Rafael Leao’s future? Have any offers arrived? Is he untouchable?
“I think Leao is a real champion—very few players today can decide matches on their own. He’s essential to our team and project. I’ve had serious talks with him, as has the coach, and I was pleasantly surprised. From the outside, you might think differently, but once you get to know him, you see a very competitive guy. He asked questions about how the team will be strengthened. I see him as a key player in our project—he has everything to become a true champion. He’s already shown a lot, but I believe he hasn’t yet shown his full potential. Offers? We haven’t received any yet—just market rumors," as relayed via Milannews.it.
Can Massimiliano Allegri and Milan not get the best out of Yunus Musah?
“I think Musah is a very good player, but we’re looking for midfield profiles that fit our specific project with Allegri. We want low-lying midfielders for a three-man midfield—Musah doesn’t fit that profile. He can play in a two or three-man midfield but with different traits. That’s the real reason we want something different. We’re also looking to bring in another midfielder and a striker. We’ll sign both a right-back and a left-back. If there are departures, we’ll move for wingers and a central defender. Same goes for wide attackers. We must stay focused on doing the best for the team and being contenders.”
How did you manage to bring in Massimiliano Allegri?
“After I arrived, there was a need to act quickly. From my first contact with Allegri, I sensed how much he cared about this club—he had a deep understanding of the team’s problems. Thanks to a trip Giorgio and I made to Lugano, where we had a long meeting with Max, he made a quick decision within 48 hours and accepted our project.”
What kind of Milan do you envision? What identity and attitude should we expect?
“It’s not just about formation, but how the team should play. We’ve discussed it thoroughly with Allegri—we have a clear vision of a compact team that dominates matches with great ball-playing ability. One reason we’re acting on the midfield is because players like a deep-lying playmaker or someone like Modric raise the team’s technical level tremendously. We need to be contenders from day one—this league can bring us great satisfaction.”
With Massimiliano Allegri, is the goal the second star?
“This club’s history says it all. When you work for Milan, the first goal is to build a team that can win trophies. I say this with great enthusiasm—it’s an honor to work for such a historic club, and together with the coach, we’ll give our all to achieve this goal.”
What’s the plan for Francesco Camarda?
“Just yesterday, we had a long discussion about the future of our young players, including Camarda, who will have an important role in this club’s future. We’ve decided to send him out on loan, and we’ve finalized a deal with Lecce for a one-year loan, hoping he’ll come back stronger—something we all wish for.”
How did you handle the waiting period before joining Milan? What message do you have for fans who protested?
“It’s part of our job to wait—when it’s a club this important, decisions must be carefully made. I fulfilled a dream by coming to work for the club I supported as a child—that gives me even more motivation to give my all. This isn’t a cliché. I’ve experienced many protests in my career—I know they add responsibility. Great victories are often born from painful defeats. Napoli’s experience teaches us that: we must learn from past mistakes and make as few as possible to be competitive right away.”
For the full-backs, do you have a specific profile? Do you like Oleksandr Zinchenko?
“We have a very specific profile—we mainly want young players with great potential who fit our playing system. These are things we’ve analyzed with the coach—we have clear ideas, and in the next two or three weeks, things will move forward.”
Will Christian Pulisic remain? Will there be a renewal? Tare commented:
“He’ll be a key player next season. I’ll discuss his contract renewal with Giorgio at the right time, but for now, we’re focused solely on the squad. I think he was one of the most positive players last season and will be a pillar for the upcoming one. He has a central role in this group.”
How do you replace a player like Tijjani Reijnders?
“Comparisons are difficult, but I believe Milan has a player like Loftus-Cheek, who’s one of the most complete midfielders in Europe. He can be fundamental for us next season—we need to manage his injuries better, but his value isn’t in doubt. We could also bring in new players with different traits from Reijnders, especially since we want to play with a three-man midfield that can shift during matches.”
Should the striker competing with Santiago Gimenez already know Serie A?
“We’re evaluating both in Italy and abroad—it’s a matter of characteristics. For our style of play, it’s essential. We need someone with totally different traits from Gimenez, who isn’t a typical No. 9 like Giroud. We have to be smart in putting those two profiles together.”
What are your emotions upon arriving at Milan?
“I care a lot about the sense of belonging—I want to pass that on to the team. The club’s history is fundamental, and we must represent it in the best possible way, on and off the pitch. We must go back to our roots—have players who identify with these colors.”
What did you talk about with Luka Modric?
“The first thing he asked was whether the team would be built to win the league. He’s a champion coming from Real Madrid, with seven Champions League titles. I understood that he wants to come here and be a protagonist. He’ll be vital in terms of mentality, personality, and leadership. And for him too, it would be great to have a starring season, especially with the World Cup coming up.”
Has Massimiliano Allegri asked for anything specific?
“I’m in daily contact with him—more than 4 or 5 times a day. He’s aware of everything we’re doing for the team. We only talk about characteristics and opportunities that come up each day. His playing system is very clear: certain positions come first, and the rest will follow by the end of the market.”
Is one of your jobs to convince Furlani to spend €45–50M for a striker?
“Regarding the striker, and after speaking with Zlatan, this team is missing something. Gimenez prefers drifting wide and cutting in—we lack a No. 9 who stays in the box, holds the ball up, helps the team push forward. There are various options—it’s not about the price but about characteristics. There are also market opportunities, and I won’t hesitate to take them if I’m convinced. The pitch will tell the truth. Some players cost a fortune and disappoint, others are the opposite. For me, it’s all about roles, positions, and interpretation. Max and I have agreed to stay sharp but patient and make the right decision at the right time. The role we value most right now is the defensive midfielder—the rest will follow.”
Are you working with Geoffrey Moncada? Tare answered:
“I’ve known him for over three or four years. He’s a collaborator who’ll work closely with me in making these important decisions. There are few in the world who know players like he does. He’s part of our project.”
