Yahoo Sports Tuttosport: Ibrahimovic’s absence sparks questions – Milan may be missing crucial figure
Every element of AC Milan has been put under the microscope during the international break after a poor start to the season, and a report today has claimed that the club are lacking a management figure.
Tuttosport (via MilanNews) write how Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s absence from Milanello continues to make a deafening noise. He has been away in Canada for 15 days, and the RedBird Senior Advisor is not likely to be at San Siro for the Venezia game tomorrow night either.
This period of absence comes at a time when Paulo Fonseca could have needed support, especially moral, considering the delicate situation in which he (already) finds himself after three games without a win.
It will be up to Gerry Cardinale to get Ibrahimovic on the right track when he returns, because if the Swede really represents someone that the players and the coach can turn to in moments of difficulty, he needs to show it.
Milan’s numbers are positive in terms of merchandising and branding, something that the latest Yankees collaboration could help, but it is the results on the field that drive the growth of the club. It is a virtuous cycle: to draw new fans and generate revenues, the on-field product must be competitive.
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The fans are asking for nothing but solidity and above all transparency, which in these months seems to have been lacking. Indeed, the confusion seems to have been reflected on the pitch, with the supporters undoubtedly unhappy with what the team is doing.
From this point of view, the next three games are of capital importance also in relation to the summer choices made by Ibrahimovic, who put his face on the line by taking responsibility for them and for choosing Fonseca.
There are question marks also about if Milan need a true sporting director, like Ricky Massara was when Paolo Maldini was the technical director. All these issues are floating around, and the next three games against Venezia, Liverpool and Inter will provide further indications.
