Lecture Notes on Managing AC Milan

Relegation and Promotion

• Initial Setback: AC Milan relegated due to board's financial fraud
  • Not due to poor management; team was close to winning the league
• Immediate Comeback: Promoted back to the top division
  • Suffered significant collateral damage
  • Star players left: Rafael Leão, Nico Williams, Theo Hernandez, Mike Maignan
  • Personal Loyalty: Refused to join Juventus, remaining committed to AC Milan

Goals and Aspirations

• Long-term Vision: Win both the Scudetto and the Champions League
• Short-term Mission: Re-establish AC Milan in the Serie A
  • Desire to emulate Leicester City's success of winning the league right after promotion

Current Squad and Strategy

• Talented Players: Okafor, Daniel Maldini, Reuben Loftus-Cheek, Romero, Yasin Adli
• Key Positions to Strengthen: CDM, Left-back
• Transfer Budget: €114 million for the season

Transfer Market Strategy

Left-back

• Initial Target: Fabiano Parisi (24-year-old, Italian)
  • Negotiation Issues: Almost made a costly mistake accepting €54 million, but secured for €42 million

CDM

• Target: Sandro Tonali (Former AC Milan player, currently at Newcastle)
  • Successful signing for €52 million

Competitive Matches

Against Juventus

• Tough Match: Lost to Juventus despite scoring first
  • Mistake: Forgot to include Tonali in the first team lineup

Against Inter Milan

• Victory: Won due to red card advantage
• Key Players: Daniel Maldini, Reuben Loftus-Cheek

Performance and Tactical Adjustments

• Inconsistent Early Season: Struggled against lower-level teams
• Tactical Shift: Adopted gegenpressing for more dynamic play
• Back-to-Back Wins: Improved performance with tactical adjustments

Significant Matches

Against Roma

• Crucial Win: Narrow victory pushing AC Milan into the top tier
• Key Player: Okafor

Against Napoli

• Loss: Struggled against Napoli’s quality defense
• Problem Areas: Weaknesses in wing positions

Transfer Window Considerations

• Remaining Budget: €22 million for January transfer window
• Board Request: Additional funds needed to strengthen the squad for a title challenge