Zlatan Ibrahimović could return to help beleaguered AC Milan in backroom role

MILAN — A beleaguered AC Milan could be set to name on its talismanic Swede but once more.

Zlatan Ibrahimović officially retired on the finish of final season with an emotional speech at San Siro that left nearly everybody in the stadium in tears, together with his teammates.

But throughout a disappointing October that noticed Milan win only one recreation, the Rossoneri have reportedly been in fixed contact with the 42-year-old a couple of potential return to the membership in a backroom capability.

Milan’s American proprietor Gerry Cardinale met with Ibrahimović on two successive days in September and could be set for additional talks when Cardinale returns to the town for Tuesday’s Champions League match towards Paris Saint-Germain.

So the Rossoneri are gearing up for an important week on an off the sector as they give the impression of being to flip their kind round.

Milan began October high of Serie A however has now slipped to third place — albeit solely three factors behind league chief Inter Milan. It struggled to a slim 1-0 win at promoted Genoa, misplaced at house to Juventus after which gave up a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Napoli.

It ought to discover issues simpler on Saturday towards lowly Udinese, which is one among solely two groups but to win a match in Serie A this season.

But coach Stefano Pioli can have to resolve whether or not to take the chance of resting some gamers forward of the match towards PSG three days later in the Champions League, the place the scenario is much more dire.

Milan has but to report a win and even rating a aim in Europe this season and sits backside of Group F with simply two factors. It misplaced 3-0 in Paris final week.

After that loss — which got here simply three days after the defeat to Juventus — Milan appeared to have bounced again when it took a 2-0 lead at halftime in Naples with two objectives from Olivier Giroud however it ended up with only a level.

“I’m a bit frustrated and angry with this result because we had the game in our hands,” a clearly downhearted Giroud stated after the match. “We wanted to show a reaction after those two defeats.”

Giroud clearly confirmed his frustration when he was substituted with 9 minutes remaining. The veteran France ahead yelled out “no” and hit his fingers on his legs as he checked out Pioli earlier than strolling off and sitting on an ice field subsequent to the bench for the remainder of the match.

Teammate Rafael Leão additionally reacted angrily towards the coach when he was taken off on the identical time.

“I’m not a robot, I’m human and I have feelings,” Giroud stated. “I felt I could still help the team but the coach makes his choices. I have a lot of respect for him and after five minutes I calmed down.”

Pioli’s job does not seem to be in danger in the mean time, though something however a win over Udinese could change issues. If Ibrahimović is introduced on board, it might not be as a possible alternative to Pioli however reasonably as an assistant — a role he roughly performed throughout a lot of his final spell at Milan, particularly in the ultimate season when accidents restricted him to simply 4 appearances.

Ibrahimović turned issues round for Milan when he returned to the membership in January 2020 and whereas his performances on the sector have been key to the Rossoneri profitable the title the next yr, he was arguably much more essential off it.

Ibrahimović acted as a pacesetter and a mentor to Milan’s younger gamers, serving to them together with his expertise and giving steerage and encouragement from the sideline when he was unable to play.

He additionally all the time had a powerful relationship with Pioli and it’s doubtless the coach would gladly welcome him again.

On that emotional night time, lower than 5 months in the past, Ibrahimović instructed the San Siro crowd: “I’ll see you around, if you’re lucky.”

Milan’s luck could be turning.

Reporting by The Associated Press.