The atmosphere around AC Milan turned toxic over the weekend as the club's failure to secure a Champions League spot led to a radical purge of the coaching and executive staff. In the aftermath, fans have turned their anger toward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the club's senior advisor, demanding his dismissal alongside those already let go.
On Sunday, AC Milan suffered a shocking 1-2 home defeat against Cagliari, which mathematically ended their hopes of finishing in the top four. Just one point would have been enough to beat Como on head-to-head record. Instead, the Rossoneri will now miss out on Europe's elite competition for the first time in three seasons.
Owner Gerry Cardinale did not hesitate. On Monday, he announced the firing of head coach Max Allegri, sporting director Igli Tare, CEO Giorgio Furlani, and technical director Geoffrey Moncada in a single, brutal statement. The mass dismissal sent shockwaves through Italian football and left the club in a state of chaos.
However, Ibrahimovic remained. The former star striker, who returned to Milan as a senior advisor in December 2023, was given even more authority during the crisis. He immediately participated in emergency meetings at the hotel where Cardinale was staying, fueling speculation that he might even be part of the decision-making process for the next technical structure.
This did not sit well with the Milan ultras. While protests against Furlani had been ongoing for weeks, many fans had hoped that Allegri and Tare would stay. The sudden dismissal of both changed the narrative. On Tuesday afternoon, a new banner appeared outside Casa Milan, the club's headquarters. It read: "Nessuno deve restare: ora fuori anche Ibra" – "No one must stay: Ibra out now too."
The banner represents a significant shift in fan sentiment. Ibrahimovic, a legendary figure who helped Milan win the 2010-11 Scudetto during his first spell, had enjoyed near-universal support from the fanbase. His appointment as a senior advisor was initially welcomed as a way to bring a winning mentality back to the club. However, the results on the pitch have not improved, and many fans now see him as a symbol of the current administration's failures.
To understand the depth of the anger, one must look at the entire trajectory of Milan's season. After a strong start, the team faltered in the second half of the campaign. Injuries to key players like Rafael Leão and Mike Maignan exposed a lack of depth. Meanwhile, Allegri's defensive style never won over the fanbase, who preferred the more expansive football of his predecessor Stefano Pioli. The board's decision to hire Allegri in the summer was already controversial; his sacking now seemed inevitable, but the manner of it – along with the simultaneous removal of the entire football leadership – left many bewildered.
Ibrahimovic's own role has been questioned. As senior advisor, he was supposed to act as a bridge between the squad and the ownership. But reports emerged that he often clashed with Furlani and Moncada over transfer strategy. Some insiders claim that Ibrahimovic pushed for the signing of Alvaro Morata and Vitor Roque, while the technical staff wanted younger prospects. The resulting misalignment left the squad imbalanced. The failure to secure a top-four finish was the final straw for Cardinale.
Yet, while firing the entire executive team, Cardinale chose to protect Ibrahimovic. The American owner seems to value the Swede's relationship with the fans and his global brand. But now even that goodwill is evaporating. The banner speaks volumes about the current mood: one of total rejection of the club's hierarchy.
The question now is whether Cardinale will listen to the fans or double down. He has already demonstrated a willingness to make ruthless decisions. Letting go of Ibrahimovic would be a highly symbolic move, perhaps signaling a completely new start. However, Ibrahimovic's contract runs until 2026, and his salary as an advisor is said to be substantial. Paying him off would add to the financial burden of the club, which is still recovering from the post-COVID period.
Moreover, Ibrahimovic's presence might still be useful for the search for a new coach and sporting director. His deep knowledge of the Italian game and his connections could help attract top candidates. But the fans no longer trust him. The banner is a direct challenge: either Cardinale removes him, or the protests will intensify.
Historically, AC Milan has always been a club where the voice of the ultras carries weight. The Curva Sud has brought down owners and presidents before. Berlusconi's later years saw constant pressure from organized fan groups. In 2020, Elliott Management faced similar protests before selling to RedBird. Now Cardinale is learning that Milan cannot be run without keeping the fanbase on side.
Ibrahimovic himself has remained silent since the mass firings. He did not comment on social media or to the press. A long-planned event for a charity partnership was postponed. His absence from the public eye is seen as either prudent or sulking, depending on interpretation.
Meanwhile, the club is scrambling to find a new coach. Names like Cesc Fàbregas, Thiago Motta, and even Roberto De Zerbi have been mentioned. Sporting director candidates include Tony D'Amico from Atalanta and Giovanni Rossi from Sassuolo. Whoever comes in will face the challenge of rebuilding a squad that has lost key players and missed out on Champions League revenue.
If Ibrahimovic remains, he will have to work alongside these new figures. But his credibility with the fans has taken a severe hit. The banner is not just a random protest; it is the culmination of weeks of frustration. The ultras feel that the entire club structure is rotten from the top down, and they see Ibrahimovic as the last remaining symbol of that rot. Whether Cardinale agrees or not will define the next chapter of AC Milan's history.
The club released a short statement on Tuesday evening, saying they respect the fans' passion but will make decisions in the best interest of the club. That vague response only added fuel to the fire. Social media erupted with fans calling for a boycott of the next home game. The Curva Sud announced they will hold a protest gathering outside the stadium before the final match of the season against Salernitana.
As the season winds down, Milan are left with nothing to play for but pride. The squad is already mentally checked out. The mass firings have created an atmosphere of uncertainty. Players are unsure who will be their coach next week, let alone next season. Ibrahimovic, once the hero who lifted the team with his sheer presence, is now a divisive figure.
In many ways, this is the lowest point for AC Milan since the early 2010s when they finished 10th under Max Allegri. But then, they had Ibrahimovic on the pitch. Now they have him in the boardroom, and it is not working. The fans want everyone out, including the legend who gave them so many memories. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who always managed to defy expectations, now faces the toughest challenge of his off-field career. Whether he survives the backlash remains to be seen.
Source: OneFootball News