Zvonimir Boban’s return is now official, as he’s been freed from FIFA and given his new role at Milan.
CEO Ivan Gazidis has stated that he wants to turn Milan into a modern club, and after appointing Paolo Maldini as the Technical Director, now the appointment of Zvonimir Boban has also been confirmed.
The Croatia and Milan legend held the highly-prestigious and highly-respected role of FIFA Deputy Secretary General, but when Maldini came calling offering him a role in the new Diavolo, Boban decided to leave FIFA and join the Aldo Rossi 6 club.
A statement from Milan came out on Friday afternoon, confirming everything:
“Milan is pleased to announce the appointment of Zvonimir Boban as the Club’s Chief Football Officer (CFO), a newly created role. Boban will be responsible for the co-ordination and oversight of the Club’s Sporting Area activities and will work closely with the Club’s CEO Ivan Gazidis and the newly appointed Technical Director Paolo Maldini.
“Boban is in the Hall of Fame of the ‘Glorie Rossonere’, with nine trophies (including the UEFA Champions League 1994, UEFA Super Cup 1994 and four Scudetti), 251 matches with the Rossoneri and 30 goals in his playing career. A leader both on and off the field, Boban was Captain of both Dinamo Zagreb (at only 19 years of age) and of the Croatian National Team. He has always stood out for his technical skills as an elegant midfielder, combined with his tactical understanding and strong personality. Boban was able to bring these attributes to the fore in his executive career, culminating most recently with his appointment as FIFA Deputy Secretary General in May 2016, organization where he took care of various projects for the development of football & competitions among which the recent introduction of the VAR.
“Today Boban is returning to Milan, to the Milanello Sports Center, in a pivotal role central to the growth project started by Elliott last summer, with a singular goal – returning Milan to the elite of world football.
“Milan’s CEO Ivan Gazidis said: ‘I am very excited to welcome Zvone back home, in our Club. I am confident that, thanks to his background, experience and his skill set, Zvone will contribute significantly to the growth and development of our Sporting Area and will lend invaluable support to the Club’s institutional relations with Football bodies. Together with Paolo Maldini, I have at my side two individuals of undisputed quality and competence who are able to convey our vision and build an increasingly competitive and successful Milan’.
“Boban wanted to tell his emotions and explain the reasons of his choice: ‘I am very happy to return to my beloved Milan and I will give my contribution to bring him back where he deserves to be. Milan must be a leading and winning club, because this is the only nature of its history and it’s the nature of our fans and their passion. I will give all of myself for this cause and for the Rossoneri colors. When Paolo called me to check on my availability, I jumped into my car and went to his home in Milan in the middle of the nigh to evaluate the state of the art. After talking with Ivan and the ownership, everything was clear. And here I am, in my city, in my club I love and in a land that has given me so much. I hope I can repay the trust placed in me. I would also like to thank the President of FIFA Gianni Infantino who, although he is an Interista, has been a true friend and has understood that this was a call similar to the one I got 3 years ago: impossible to say ‘no’. Forza Milan!’.”
FIFA released a statement of their own, addressing the exit of Boban:
“FIFA Deputy Secretary General (Football) Zvonimir Boban has decided to join AC Milan as the club’s Chief Football Officer and will therefore leave FIFA in the coming days.
“The 50-year-old Croatian has been working as FIFA’s Deputy Secretary General (Football) and as an advisor to the FIFA President on strategic football matters since 2016. As he prepares to leave his position at the Home of FIFA, Zvonimir reflected on his time at world football’s governing body:
“‘I will always be grateful to FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the opportunity he gave me after his election in 2016. True to his manifesto pledge to ‘bring football back to FIFA and FIFA back to football’, he had the courage to entrust a former footballer with such a far reaching role within the organisation.’
“During his spell at FIFA, Zvonimir has been involved in many reforms that are set to leave a mark on football history and that have helped to restore the organisation’s image.
“‘I feel really honoured and privileged to have worked on such important projects to take FIFA back to its rightful place, far away from past scandals and a tarnished image. Looking back, I feel a real sense of accomplishment about my contribution to these big changes over the last three years.
“‘I have been entrusted with leading important projects such as the revamp of the FIFA Club World Cup and the successful bidding process for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, as well as the revolutionary VAR project, which has managed to make the beautiful game fairer and protect its integrity.
“‘None of this could have been achieved without the support of the President and amazing colleagues who are dedicated to serving the game of football across the globe. There may have been some debates along the way, but we have always upheld our motto of ‘Living Football’ and I will be eternally thankful to everyone.’
“Following three years in Zurich, Zvonimir is returning to Milan and the club where he spent most of his playing career, winning four Serie A titles and the UEFA Champions League.
“‘It is extremely difficult to leave FIFA, but I followed my heart and my passion when making this decision, as was the case when I accepted the challenge of joining FIFA.
“‘The people at Milan are my family and the city of Milano and Italy are my home. I have a burning desire to help this glorious club, which means so much to me, to return where it belongs. Zurich now also has a special place in my heart after three wonderful years in Switzerland.”
“FIFA President Gianni Infantino paid tribute to Zvonimir as a person and professional, noting that his departure represents a great loss:
“‘I cannot thank Zvonimir enough for everything he has done for FIFA and football over the last three years by our side. His dedication to football and enthusiasm are incredible and he has been an invaluable asset for FIFA. Nobody embodies football better than he does and he has always worked for the good of the game.’
“‘Many of the positive changes that we have made over the last three years could not have been achieved without Zvone. He has shown the same commitment, heart and passion at FIFA that characterised his attitude on the pitch. We will miss him a lot at FIFA, but I wish him the same success in his new challenge at his beloved club,” said the FIFA President.’
“Zvonimir will attend the FIFA U-20 World Cup final in Poland on Saturday together with President Infantino. This appearance at the U-20 World Cup will be rife with symbolism, as an 18-year-old Boban won the FIFA World Youth Championship – the predecessor to the current tournament – with the former Yugoslavian national team in 1987. Moreover, Zvonimir had a decisive role in the victory over Germany in the final, scoring with an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box in the 85th minute and then converting the winning penalty in the subsequent shoot-out.”
Welcome aboard, Boban. Seeing as we’re starting from ground zero yet again after wasting nearly two years with the genius, let’s just hope management’s faith in Giampaolo proves to be on the money.
Welcome back Sir,
This is only the beginning, Forza Milano
i dont know how the season is going to be this time but boy it feels special to see two club icons back in action again – Maldini and Boban.
And man, the days Boban was in our midfield <3
Now we’re talking. That boban abandons his fifa role to join this circus clearly shows his love for milan. This is clearly not a good move career wise but he does it anyway. I remember boban, like me, criticizing fassobelli’s horrible mercato when the less initiated were hyping it. That alone shows his competency and knowledge of football. He clearly is a true milan10ista. I know some les midtables think and say-limited as they are- that roles in mgmt hierarchy aint important but one simple look at barca before and during laporta’s reign or kenyon’s role in big epl clubs… Read more »
There are no words to express how much I admire the players/men Maldini and Boban .
inter appointed Conte a coach, Juventus have Sarri on their bench,Napoli with Ancelloti,why my Milan appoint Giampaolo,may God be with my Milan
The fact that the BBC covered this news says it all about the weight and importance of this signing.
Other clubs are busy signing players, but Milan are wisely building a competent leadership that will produce great players.
Great news, welcome aboard Bobi! On to the next one – Giampaolo!
Now to get it straight:
– no Lovren for 30 millions
– no to Veretout-Cutrone exchange
– no to Sensi-Cutrone exchange
Thank you! Forza Milan!
– yes to Torreira-Suso exchange :D
Cool to have a proper Milanista unlike that snake Leonardo. Boban over the years has been one of the few to speak the truth about the issues surrounding Milan. I remember how he criticized Mirabelli and Fassone’s signings. One of the things he talked about is how Milan only signed okay/good players, not ones that can make a big impact. With the budget being around 40m in addition to the likely sales of Andre Silva and Donnarumma/Suso, there’s gonna be a lot to spend. Lets see if he does what he criticised others in Milan for not doing, I have… Read more »
I agree with your comment and its great to have Boban back, except the part which labelled Leonardo as a snake? He’s hardly a snake but rather one of the best directors of sport out there
We might never know the real reasons he left but one things for sure Maldini would never of came back in the first place to work with somebody he didn’t trust or as you say a snake
Totally agree with everything you said. My thoughts exactly.
This year the technical department…… Next year world domination……. again
Looks like Lucas Torriera is our main target currently. Actually this would be first good signal of this market. If we do get him, I guess we are finally going for the classic Milan diamond 4-4-2 (fitting Giampaolo’s favorite lineup). In this case, I guess the starting lineup can be something like: – Piatek and Cutrone/Silva up front. – Torriera, Kessie/Krunic, Hakan/Jack, and Paquetta in the mid. – Our usual back 4 with who knows behind the posts. This would most likely mean selling Suso and Donna which is really unfortunate, but at least it would free up some cash… Read more »
I highly doubt Milan will keep Biglia who has been injury prone since his arrival. He also earns 3.5m net per year and he is 33yrs old. He’s probably the next midfield player to leave and rightfully so. With Torreira and Sensi from Sassuolo we will have the deep-lying playmaker position covered. So expect Biglia to get the boot. As for Suso, If Milan can’t come to a contract agreement with him then he will be sold as well. Suso wants a salary increase which Milan won’t do. I stand by Milan on that. Praet and Baselli are names that… Read more »
Nick, if we are playing 4-4-2 why do we need all these wingers? Keita Balde and Corria in particular have only excelled in the winger role. And Suso has no business in a team that plays with the diamond 442 as he’s also good only in the flank.
And Borini should stay as a cover for LB, so we can offload Laxalt.
It’s time to make every transfer count and not spend 25mil or so on Samu and similar players. Hope Maldini and Boban can pull through
Milan is not playing 442. Not sure where you got that from but Giampaolo uses a 4312 formation with a trequartista and deep lying playmaker. Hence the reason for a 2nd striker to play along with a penalty box poacher. Keita Balde and Joaquin Correa excelled as a “2nd striker “. That’s the position they played at Lazio. Keita Balde and Joaquin Correa scored a lot of goals in that position. Therefore you are totally wrong. They didn’t excel as wingers, they excelled when deployed as a 2nd striker. This is why we have been linked to Correa. I also… Read more »
Nick mate, get your facts straight – 1. A diamond 4-4-2 is the same as what you call 4-3-1-2; that’s how they call the formation in the old days (when big clubs actually used it). The diamond is for the way the midfield is shaped, so a regista behind two mezzele and a traquarista in the hole. What else did you think it means? The term 4-3-1-2 is most likely due to playstation, but I get that it is used elsewhere as well. 2. Balde and Correa are wingers; Heck Montella wanted to bring Keita to play opposite Suso in… Read more »
Milan are serious about reuniting Giampaolo with Torreira. That would be awesome, I wanted him already when Chinese were throwing money around and he had 27 million release clause then! Milan would like a swap with Kessie but Arsenal want straight cash 35 millions. I say get it done already that’s peanuts these days!