Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Senior Advisor for AC Milan, recently shared his insights on his new role with the club in a document published by the Harvard Business School. The Swedish football legend discussed his relationship with CEO Giorgio Furlani and his approach to mentoring the team.
Speaking about Furlani, Ibrahimovic praised his financial acumen: “When it comes to numbers, we rely on Giorgio. When he starts doing his calculations, for example on which players we can afford, he’s a monster.” He recalled their first meeting during Elliott’s ownership period and how Furlani’s positive impression led to Gerry Cardinale considering Ibrahimovic for a role despite initial reservations about hiring former players.
Regarding his own position within the club, Ibrahimovic stated, “I am Zlatan and my role is to be Zlatan. I have a lot to learn, but I think I also have a lot to give, and I wanted to be in a position where I can make a difference.” He emphasized that one of his key responsibilities is to cultivate a winning mentality within the team and ensure they deliver results.
Ibrahimovic’s approach to mentoring the players is both supportive and motivational. He explained, “I tell the players: ‘When you’re here at Milan, if you get results, you can make history.'” This statement underlines his efforts to instill a sense of legacy and responsibility in the squad.
The former striker also touched on the delicate balance he maintains in his new role: “I’m close to the team but not too close. I’m in a different position compared to when I was a player alongside many others who are still in the squad.”
