DBasia.news – The punishment from UEFA regarding the violation of Financial Fair Play regulation wasn’t so bad for AC Milan. They succeeded in winning the lawsuit to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The punishment also started a new era started with the change of ownership from Li Yonghong (Chinese businessman) to Elliott Management.
Milan’s revolution just begin. Marco Fassone and Massimiliano Mirabelli were fired from the position as CEO and sporting director. Leonardo, who played for Milan in two terms (1997-2001 and 2002-2003) was appointed to be the new sporting director. The Brasilian man showed his touch by successfully recruiting Gonzalo Higuain and Mattia Caldara from Juventus.
After that, Milan also succeeded in returning the other legend, Paolo Maldini. The legend who spent his long career with Milan was appointed as the strategic development director with the task to develop Milan technically or academically so that the club will be the deadly one in Italy and Europe.
Not just that, the other legend is also coming back to Milan. He is the winner of Ballon d’Or in 2007, Kaka, who just retired last December. Kaka will return to San Siro as Leonardo’s junior to learn about the directional job.
“He has made it clear that he wants to learn to become a director. He’s my pupil and I adore him, and he will always have a bond with this club. He’s got a lot of desire and he will be in Milan in September. There’s nothing planned yet, but he will come here to learn — for free,” Leonardo said reported by ESPN.
Leonardo, Maldini, Kaka, and also Gennaro Gattuso the coach of Champions League 7 times winner. Their reunion is a good news for Milan supporters, especially for those who followed Milan’s journey since the late 1990s and beginning of 2000s.
“Leonardo and the ownership showed me the project and I believe in it. I am really happy. Leonardo has been fundamental. People make the difference: We are friends, we are different, but we’ll fit together. We know the subject and we know the club,” Maldini added his reason returning to Milan after a long time.