Breaking
World Cup 2026 — follow every match on Safira SportsLatest transfer news and national team updatesLive scores, standings and FIFA rankingsArab & Muslim-majority teams at the World CupWorld Cup 2026 — follow every match on Safira SportsLatest transfer news and national team updatesLive scores, standings and FIFA rankingsArab & Muslim-majority teams at the World Cup
Ibrahimovic: “Cardinal must create a special identity for Milan as it is, that is
Saudi Pro League

Ibrahimovic: “Cardinal must create a special identity for Milan as it is, that is

Zlatan Ibrahimovic shares insights into his new role with Jiri Cardinale at Milan, stressing the importance of building a unique identity for the club and the lessons he has learned in his transition from player to manager.

safirasports.com • 2h ago

Share

Ibrahimovic: “Cardinal must create a special identity for Milan as it is, that is

According toTuttomercatoweb.

Background

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has moved from being a star on the pitch to a managerial role at Milan, is seeking to apply the same leadership principles he used as a player. This transformation may contribute to strengthening Milan's identity as one of the prominent clubs in Serie A.

Why is this important?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's take on his new role at Milan is important, as he highlights the importance of building a unique identity for the club. As he transitions from player to manager, his leadership style could influence Milan's future in Serie A.

Key points

  • Ibrahimovic: “Cardinal must create a special identity for Milan as it is, that is.
  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic shares insights into his new role with Jiri Cardinale at Milan, stressing the importance of building a unique identity for the club and the lessons he has learned in his transition from player to manager.
  • Ibrahimovic: “Cardinale has created an identity in Milan when he comes to me, asking for his advice.”
On July 16, Zlatan Ibrahimovic spoke alongside Jerry Cardinale at a WSJ Sports event, where he expressed his vision for his new role as manager at AC Milan. Ibrahimovic said that his career as a manager is going well, saying: “I am in good hands. Cardinal promised me that I would become a billionaire (laughs). It is a new stage in my career, as I have the opportunity to work with RedBird and I am surrounded by great people. I feel humbled in this situation. I wanted to explore this field, take an extra step instead of being a former professional athlete who only passes the time to practice sports. I wanted to make a new step in my career in business. Every day I see numbers. "And numbers. I'm humbled. I want to learn, I want to grow in this world, and I'm grateful for this opportunity."

As for what Cardinal asks of him, he added: “He wants me to be the Zlatan I was on the field, but in business, without changing. What I noticed when I retired is that working in the office is like working in the locker room: there is a leader that others follow, who sets standards, and sets the mentality. This is what I would like to offer: to be myself, but as a leader, and for people to follow me.”

Image

He also spoke about the biggest lesson he had for Cardinale, saying: "He has to stay calm, not to indulge in emotions, because when you make decisions under the influence of emotions, you make mistakes. Gerry learns through the hardest ways, because many things have happened since he arrived at Milan. Every country has its own way of working, and in Italy it is very special. He learns through the most difficult experiences because he still does not enjoy Milan: you can only enjoy when you win. Step by step, he will enjoy it more, and he will reach victory."

Regarding his advice as an advisor to Cardinal, he said: “I always tell him that he must create the identity of Milan as it is, to face challenges representing himself and not someone else. Now he is creating his own culture with Milan, and from here he can grow, knowing that failure is part of success. If everything was perfect from the beginning, he would not learn anything: he would not see the problems and mistakes. He is the owner of a huge club, really huge: I played in three of the five biggest clubs in the world and one of them is Milan, we have 650 million fans around the world. I'm not choosing the team on Saturday, but there are 650 million fans around the world who are, but I'm sure Jerry will arrive, he has the will and character to succeed, if he can bring me to RedBird, he can do anything, don't worry...

Image

What's next?

Ibrahimovic is expected to continue to advise Jerry Cardinal, which could help the club achieve success in the future. It is also likely to contribute to the development of Milan's market strategy, strengthening the club's position in Italian football.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Zlatan Ibrahimovic say about his new role in Milan?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic spoke about his vision for his new role as manager at AC Milan, where he expressed that he feels humbled and considers this stage an opportunity to learn and grow in the field of business.

Who was the person Ibrahimovic spoke to at the event?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic spoke alongside Jiri Cardinale at a WSJ Sports event.

Why is the present moment important to Cardinal?

The current time is important for Cardinale as he learns how to manage Milan and works to create a special identity for the club.

What advice did Ibrahimovic give Cardinal?

Ibrahimovic advised Cardinale to create his own Milan identity and face challenges as a representative of himself and not as someone else.

What changes is Cardinal seeking to achieve in Milan?

Cardinal seeks to create a special culture with Milan, which will help him grow and achieve success.

Related articles

Share this article

Share

Related Articles