Paolo Maldini has remained coy on his future amid links with becoming Manchester United’s new sporting director under Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
It has taken a little longer than expected but Sir Jim Ratcliffe is finally expected to finalise his United deal in the coming days.
The Telegraph report that Ratcliffe will purchase a 25% stake in United for around £1.3billion.
Ratcliffe is expected to seize control of football operations at Old Trafford and that should bring the appointment of a new sporting director.
Paolo Maldini comments on his future after Manchester United links
The Telegraph reported last week that Paolo Maldini is one of the names in the mix for Ratcliffe and Ineos.
One of the greats of the game, Maldini left his position as AC Milan technical director at the end of last season.
This would be a bold move from United and Maldini has now been asked about his future in light of these United links.
Maldini was a guest on PoretCast on Wednesday and, as quoted by Milan News 24, he is ‘retired’ right now.
Maldini was largely joking, noting that he is taking his pension in Italy right now and isn’t really rushing back into work.
The Italian icon spoke about loss and dealing with his own age in an emotional answer, but isn’t worried about what comes next in his career.
“Every now and then I think about it, when I lost my parents I faced that loss,” said Maldini. “When I turned 50 I thought: “You’re halfway there”, but maybe halfway… But I’ve never had a problem with what comes next. In theory I’m retired, I’ve been taking my pension since last year,” he joked.
Who were Maldini’s best signings at Milan?
Maldini worked alongside Ricky Massara at Milan, another man on United’s radar according to that Telegraph report.
Milan managed to win Serie A in 2022 and that was driven by some of the signings they managed to pull off.
Goalkeeper Mike Maignan made a huge impact after being brought in to replace Gianluigi Donnarumma following his move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Defender Fikayo Tomori has excelled in Italy and Theo Hernandez has become one of Europe’s top left backs.
Ismael Bennacer and Sandro Tonali formed a great midfield partnership with Rafael Leao providing major attacking threat.
Players of that quality would certainly be welcomed at Old Trafford and that may put Maldini right into Ratcliffe’s thinking for this new era.
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