Maldini: ‘Milan only Italian club for me, I don’t go to San Siro anymore’

Paolo Maldini reflected on his recent experience as a director at Milan, the offer from Paris Saint-Germain and why he doesn’t go to San Siro anymore.

The legendary former defender, who spent his entire 24-year playing career with the Rossoneri, returned to the club in 2018 following his retirement, working as a technical director. A popular figure amongst fans, he played a crucial role in building up their new project.

Maldini helped bring in a number of key figures to Milan in recent years, including Theo Hernandez, Mike Maignan and Rafael Leao, but was unceremoniously dumped off by new owners Gerry Cardinale and RedBird back in June of last year, a decision that infuriated supporters.

Maldini on Milan and PSG

Speaking to Alessandro Alciato and Lega Serie A, Maldini discussed his experiences as a director at Milan.

“I understood that I wanted to be a director when they called me, you don’t always have a clear idea of what you want to do, but I tried to understand what I didn’t want to do. I didn’t want to be a coach, I didn’t want to work on television.

“When the opportunity arrived I analysed it carefully, with Leonardo I found a person with the same principles and ideals as me, we always talk about teamwork within a club.

“I chose to be a director first and foremost because it was Milan, then with the 31 years of experience I’ve had, I had things to tell and teach.

“Then there is the work itself, which is completely different from what is expected. Milan, national team or elsewhere? Italy, I’d never be able to see myself at a club other than Milan.”

He was asked about an approach from PSG ahead of his return to the Rossoneri.

“I never said no, before Milan I was in Paris three times and I had given my availability, then it didn’t go ahead. Thinking about it now, it was a good thing, I would’ve joined a club that was still evolving greatly, in a country I didn’t know, with a language I didn’t know.

“My first 10 months as a director were learning, I felt inadequate, I was learning and I couldn’t determine anything. Leonardo laughed, he told me that I would slowly realize my impact. It was a blessing to start working with him.”

Maldini revealed the distance he keeps from Milan following his dismissal last year.

“No, I don’t go anymore, it’s logical. I follow Monza and Empoli, where my children play. I created many relationships, it’s a question of relationships. What we created was not only a winning team, but also many relationships with the players.

“About 35 have arrived over the five years, a special relationship was created with each of them. When I see the left wing of Milan, it’s truly a spectacle.”