Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara sacked by Milan

According to reports this evening, both Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara have been sacked by AC Milan following a tense meeting with owner Gerry Cardinale.

The encounter was meant to set out the strategy for next season, but multiple sources claim it went very badly, particularly between Maldini and RedBird chief Cardinale.

Now Daniele Longo of Calciomercato.com reports that Paolo Maldini and his right-hand man Massara have been sacked by Cardinale, rather than the original suggestion they had resigned.

🚨 AC Milan director Paolo Maldini will leave the club with immediate effect.

It's over after tense meeting today with club chairman Gerry Cardinale — due to different vision for the future of the club.

Co-director Ricky Massara is also set to leave AC Milan. pic.twitter.com/ayqVhzsRMZ

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 5, 2023

This means a total transformation of the structure at the top of the club, where Maldini and Massara had been in charge of transfers and negotiating contracts.

Tuttomercatoweb argued it was part of a power struggle with CEO Giorgio Furlani, who took a more central role in the latter stages of the Rafael Leao contract extension.

It would be a painful departure for Milan fans, as Paulo Maldini has been at the club for his entire career, first as a player and then a director from 2018.

UPDATE: Reports now state Maldini and Massara SACKED, they did not resign. #ACMilan https://t.co/9bPZ4jmSJs

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) June 5, 2023

Initial suggestions for a replacement include Igli Tare, who this morning announced he will not be extending his contract as director of sport at Lazio.

However, Furlani is again an alternative to take further control of the direction for the club's future with aid from Geoffrey Moncada.