AC Milan’s start to the season has been nothing short of troubling. The Rossoneri were a force to reckon with last season, finishing second in the league, but this season has nothing like the last.
With just 1 win from their first 4 games, AC Milan sit mid table in Serie A and have suffered a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool in their opening Champions League game.
Among the turmoil, one figure remains larger than life—Zlatan Ibrahimović. But as Milan’s form falters, questions surrounding the enigmatic Swede’s role at the club have been raised.
Ibrahimović, now 42, has never been one to shy away from the spotlight. His playing career at Milan cemented his legacy as a club legend.
In two stints with the Rossoneri, he scored 93 goals in 163 appearances, leading them to a Serie A title in 2011 and helping the club reclaim its winning culture. For Zlatan, Milan was more than just a team; it was a love story, one he isn’t ready to close the book on thanks to his new non playing role at the club.
After announcing his retirement at the end of the 2022-23 season, Zlatan quickly transitioned into a new role with AC Milan. In December 2023, RedBird Capital, the club’s U.S. owners, announced his appointment as a senior advisor, working directly with the board and Milan’s management.
Ibrahimović’s role can be described in broad—part football, part business—offering his expertise across sporting operations, transfers, and even commercial ventures.
“I am the boss, and all the others work for me,” Zlatan quipped before Milan’s loss to Liverpool. But if he’s the boss, what exactly is he doing for the club?
That’s precisely the issue. Former Milan director Zvonimir Boban openly criticized Ibrahimović’s role, or lack thereof, in a biting remark: “No one understands what your role is with Milan. Let’s hope you understand what it is.”
While Boban’s jab at the big Swede may have been harsh, it mirrors the growing sentiment among both fans and pundits who are confused by Zlatan’s vague title and undefined responsibilities.
Is he a representative of the players, a bridge between the ownership and the squad, or something more elusive?
Ibrahimović’s involvement with the day-to-day activities at Milan seems as opaque as his comments. He’s been seen working closely with manager Paulo Fonseca and RedBird Capital CEO Gerry Cardinale, offering his input on everything from high-performance training to transfers.
Zlatan himself praised Milan’s summer business, stating, “Everything we looked for and was missing we got,” highlighting the signing of players like Tammy Abraham and Youssouf Fofana. But Milan’s poor form has overshadowed any goodwill those transfers may have generated.
Critics, including legendary coach Fabio Capello, are now holding Zlatan accountable. Capello questioned whether Ibrahimović’s leadership off the field has translated into results. “I heard the ‘boss’ on TV,” Capello said. “He says he’s in charge, right? So he also has some responsibility.”
With Milan languishing in 10th place and showing little of the fighting spirit that once defined them, fingers are pointing at the club’s new advisor-in-chief.
Ibrahimović’s response to the criticism, particularly from Boban, was quintessential Zlatan:
When the lion goes away, the kittens arrive. When the lion comes back, the kittens disappear.
Arrogant? Yes. Confident? Absolutely. But this is the same swagger that made him a leader on the pitch, and it’s clear he’s trying to carry that over into his executive role. But this is the same swagger that made him a leader on the pitch, and it’s clear he’s trying to carry that over into his executive role.
Yet, the question remains: What is Zlatan’s true role at AC Milan? Is he merely a figurehead, a legendary name to placate fans, or is he genuinely shaping the club’s future? His public persona suggests the former, with bold statements and a distant approach to accountability.
However, behind closed doors, Zlatan is reportedly deeply involved in everything from player renewals. As Milan continues to struggle and club continues to face scrutiny, the spotlight will only shine brighter on Ibrahimović.
His love affair with the Rossoneri may not be over, but unless the club’s fortunes change, his role will remain a mystery that even the lion himself can’t explain away with charisma alone.