Rangnick has decided first Milan star to be axed
The arrival of Ralf Rangnick as the new coach of AC Milan is expected to be followed by the departure of star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic has generated positive effects for AC Milan, but his permanence for another season is strongly in doubt. His contract expires in June 2020 and the renewal is uncertain.
Zvonimir Boban and Paolo Maldini, the directors who strongly wanted his return at the Rossoneri, are destined to leave the club and this obviously has made the player think. Ivan Gazidis is happy with the performance of the 38-year-old Swedish striker, but his high salary is a heavy burden for a club with budget problems despite the positive contribution given to the team in recent months.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that with the arrival of Ralf Rangnick on the bench the future of Ibrahimovic could be far from AC Milan. In fact, the German coach does not consider the player functional to his game philosophy in which the whole team must think and move in unison. He also has doubts about the athletic conditions of the 38 year old Zlatan.
The current management (Gazidis and Elliot included) agrees on the importance of the Swedish centre forward for the team. His return brought undeniable benefits and a boost in confidence. Gazidis is expected to elaborate on Ibra’s situation with Rangnick in order to decide whether to open renewal talks or let the player end his career elsewhere.
Ibrahimovic too must evaluate Milan’s plans for the future. He has doubts about the current situation of the club and, with Boban and Maldini about to bid farewell, he will likely leave reports Gianluca Di Marzio. Plus Ibra is not the type of player that accepts to be a simple back-up. His agent Mino Raiola has never believed in Elliott’s project and will probably try to convince his client not to remain at the Rossoneri.
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