In a recent appearance on ESPN’s First Take, Zlatan Ibrahimovic discussed various topics related to AC Milan and his transition from player to executive. The Swedish football icon offered his thoughts on Christian Pulisic, the challenges of his new role, and the development of Major League Soccer (MLS).
Ibrahimovic praised Pulisic’s performance last season, stating, “I think last year with us was his best season of his career. When you’re happy off the field, you bring it onto the field. He had an amazing season, scored a lot of goals, and provided many assists. He felt free and showed who he really is.” He expressed high expectations for Pulisic’s growth as a leader, emphasizing the team’s need for experienced players to guide the younger squad.
Reflecting on his transition from player to executive, Ibrahimovic acknowledged the learning curve: “It’s a change you face day by day. I have a lot to learn. I have my experiences, but now I’m working from a different perspective.” He embraced the new responsibilities and pressures, adding, “We eat pressure for breakfast.”
Ibrahimovic highlighted the challenges of making decisions about players he once played alongside, noting the difficulty in shifting from teammate to a position of authority. He also commented on Milan’s positive pre-season results, emphasizing patience as the team adapts to a new coach: “We need to be patient, but from the two games we’ve played here in America, you can see the team is improving and starting to understand the coach’s ideas.”
On the topic of his son Maximilian joining Milan’s youth setup, Ibrahimovic expressed pride and acknowledged the challenges of carrying the Ibrahimovic name. He emphasized the importance of his son’s strong mentality and hard work.
Regarding MLS development, Ibrahimovic observed, “I think the league is growing in the right direction, but slowly. When I was here, I remember – and it’s still the case – that MLS has too many rules to grow quickly. It’s a slow process.” He noted the improving quality of play and highlighted the importance of the upcoming 2026 World Cup for the league’s growth.
Ibrahimovic also shared his perspective on coaching, explaining why he chose not to pursue that path: “Being a coach isn’t easy. When you go from player to coach, you have to start from zero and take it step by step. For me, taking this step would have been too big. As a player, I already didn’t have much free time, and imagine how it would have been as a coach. I want to enjoy life in a different way too.”
