Headline: Former Milan Director Igli Tare Reflects on Disappointment and Challenges at AC Milan
Milan dismissed Igli Tare in May, prompting him to share insights about his tenure with the club, including his decision to hire Max Allegri and his disappointment with player Christian Pulisic. Tare, who previously held the position of director of sports—a role vacant since Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara’s exits in 2023—had a brief stint before being terminated alongside coach Allegri, CEO Giorgio Furlani, and director Geoffrey Moncada in a “single, brutal press statement on May 25.”
In an interview with Sky Sport Italia Calcio Unplugged, Tare expressed, “The wound of failing to qualify for the Champions League is still deep, enormous in fact.” He emphasized that joining a club like Milan, with a proud history, meant aiming for the Champions League rather than just participating.
At the onset, RedBird owner Gerry Cardinale had taken a backseat role but later decided to engage more actively in the club’s operations. Tare lamented, “I am disappointed that those leading the club didn’t understand people needed to be given time, something that they are now doing better.”
Tare noted that building a competitive squad takes multiple transfer windows, citing a tough period where the team missed out on European competition and lost in the Coppa Italia Final. “We sold players for a lot of money and signed 10 new figures, so it takes time to integrate, understand and create a united group,” he said. Despite being at the top of the league for much of the season, he acknowledged that the team’s mentality faltered towards the end.
Reflecting on his relationship with management, Tare indicated he never had a direct line to Cardinale, only discussing potential player investments in passing. “I would’ve preferred to have that presence when I was still at Milan, as it would’ve been very useful,” Tare remarked, highlighting a missed opportunity for streamlined communication.
In his role, Tare was also tasked with selecting a new head coach. He chose Allegri for his experience, stating, “The only thing I was asked was to hire an Italian coach, not a foreign one.” Tare noted that while he had other candidates in mind, Allegri’s history with the club made him a fitting choice.
Moreover, he shared his ambitions to bolster the team’s leadership, mentioning that he aimed to bring in Granit Xhaka to mentor younger players alongside Luka Modric, a recent addition to the club from Real Madrid. Tare’s analysis included candid reflections on player performances, particularly concerning Pulisic. “The biggest disappointment was Pulisic; I expected more from him in terms of responsibility and leadership,” he commented, pointing out the impact prolonged scoring droughts had on the team’s overall performance.
Tare’s insights reveal both the challenges he faced and his aspirations for Milan, shedding light on the intricacies of club management in competitive football.
