Ibrahimovic: Cardinale ‘Put the Right People in Charge of Milan’
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the legendary former striker, has taken on a new role as the RedBird Advisor for AC Milan, a position he assumed in December 2023. Despite not having an official role within the club, Ibrahimovic has been deeply involved in first-team management, including coach selection and transfer decisions. In an interview with GQ Italia, Ibra candidly shared his thoughts on his new role and the challenges Milan faces. "I had promised the team at the beginning: you will never see me in a suit and tie. But everything changed quickly. Do I like wearing a suit? No. I admit it. I don’t feel comfortable," he said. "I am an athlete, a sportsman. But whenever I want to dress how I want, Helena [his wife] looks at me and says: ‘Today you have to wear a suit.’ I reply: ‘Why?’ And she says: ‘Because you have a press conference.’ So put on the tie and shut up. Let’s go. But I understand it, too: I’m not dressing to represent who I am today. I’m dressing for the role I have: today I represent Milan, I represent RedBird."
Embracing a New Role and a New Reality
When Ibrahimovic hung up his boots at the age of 42, he faced a significant transition. "The biggest problem, the real problem every footballer has, is exactly this: accepting reality and putting ego aside. Understanding that you’ve passed your expiration date. I did it. I accepted it. And that’s how I found my peace. From that moment on, I’ve been calm. And that was the hardest part," he reflected. Initially, Ibra wasn’t seeking a new challenge. He took his time, slowing down and getting used to his new life. However, a visit to Milan and a conversation with the club’s CEO, Furlani, led to a meeting with Gerry Cardinale, RedBird’s Founder, Managing Partner, and Chief Investment Officer. Cardinale saw potential in Ibrahimovic’s unique background and experience, inviting him to join RedBird and work with Milan. "He wanted to know more about me, what I want, who I am. To get to know me better. Then he said: ‘I want you in RedBird. Not in Milan. In RedBird. I want you to work with Milan. Bring your experience. Learn the other side of football, the one you don’t see on the field. Finance, numbers, how everything works.’”
The Vision and Ambition of Gerry Cardinale
Cardinale’s relentless drive and ambition were key factors in Ibrahimovic’s decision to join RedBird. "Cardinale pushes. He pushes hard. Now I understand why he’s successful: he never gives up," Ibra noted. "He’s the real Wolf of Wall Street. He always gets what he wants. In the end, he gave me an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. And then my wife also told me: If I know you well, I know that after a while, you’ll get bored. You need a challenge. Go, do what you have to do, and be yourself. And she knows me well. And no, it’s not about the money. Because Milan do not pay me, got it? I’m not a Milan employee. I work for RedBird. But my responsibility is clear: to bring Milan where it belongs. To win." Cardinale’s vision for Milan is ambitious and clear, and he has put the right people in charge to achieve it. Ibrahimovic’s role is to bring his experience and help the team and club reach their full potential.
A New Approach to Leadership
Ibrahimovic’s approach to his new role is rooted in teamwork and mutual respect. "Just like on the field, teamwork is the most important thing here too," he emphasized. "That’s what I told Gerry Cardinale when I agreed to work with him. I told him clearly: ‘It’s not a one-man show anymore. I’m not here to save anyone. If you think that’s the case, let’s drop it right now. I’m not here to save the situation. I’m here to learn from others and help them give their best. Learn. Help. Teamwork.’" Ibrahimovic’s influence on the young Milan team during his second spell as a player, under Stefano Pioli, was instrumental in the club’s Serie A title win in 2022. Now, he aims to continue that legacy by fostering a collaborative environment where everyone can contribute to the club’s success. "Milan gave me happiness the first time. And it gave it to me the second time too," he said. "But I’m not doing this for personal gain. I don’t need this. I’m famous, I don’t need money, and I don’t need followers either. I do it for Milan, and because I want to learn new things."
The Challenges Ahead
Despite the recent changes, including the sacking of Paulo Fonseca and the hiring of Sergio Conceiçao, Milan’s results have not significantly improved. The club has been eliminated from the Champions League and is currently eight points below the top four in Serie A. However, Ibrahimovic remains undeterred. "Cardinale is very attached to Milan, he wants to succeed. Milan is absolutely central to RedBird’s plans. He wants to bring Milan back to where we deserve to be. In his own way, with his vision, his ambition. And we follow that path," he stated. Ibrahimovic’s resilience and determination are evident, drawing from his experiences both on and off the pitch. "I went through ten years of war. And if you live through war in the Balkans, no one calls to ask how you are. You wait for the call, to know what’s happening. To know if your family is okay. Every day, someone calls you crying, and you don’t know if tomorrow they’ll still be alive. And you can’t do anything. If someone has lived like that for ten years, they fear nothing. Because that’s something else. That’s real fear. And when the media talk about me? It doesn’t touch me. For 25 years as a footballer, they attacked me every day. Why? Because I was the best."
A New Mentality for a New Era
Milan’s new management is characterized by its youth, international perspective, and hunger for success. "Milan are the most famous club in Italy. We represent Italian football in the world. DNA, mentality, pedigree," Ibrahimovic concluded. "The numbers are clear. Everyone talks about us. And if they talk about us, it means we are doing something great. A new mentality. Our management is young, international. People with different visions, different ambitions: there is hunger. And that is incredible. We are not afraid. This is our strength. We do what we believe in, without fear, without limits, our own way. We don’t look at others. We move forward, always. Any wall in our way? We break it down. And trust me: we are rock and roll. Always aiming for results." Ibrahimovic’s confidence in the club’s direction and the team’s potential is unwavering, and he believes that with the right mindset and approach, Milan can once again achieve greatness.
A Legacy of Leadership and Success
Ibrahimovic’s journey from the streets to the boardroom is a testament to his adaptability and leadership. His return to Milan in January 2020, where he played a pivotal role in the team’s development and eventual Serie A title win, has left an indelible mark on the club. Now, as an advisor, he aims to continue that legacy by bringing his unique perspective and experience to the table. "When I played, everything revolved around me. Today, I’m the bodyguard: if someone has to take a shot, let it be me. I want to protect the team and the club. I’m not afraid, because I fire back twice," he said. Ibrahimovic’s commitment to Milan and his belief in the club’s future are evident, and he is determined to help the Rossoneri reclaim their place at the top of Italian and European football.
