Milan schedule new meeting with Iraola; former Man Utd coach Rangnick tipped for sporting director role | OneFootball

Milan are pushing to appoint Andoni Iraola as their next head coach, with a second face-to-face meeting between the Spaniard and club representatives scheduled in London in the coming hours, as owner Gerry Cardinale looks to move quickly and shut out competition from Crystal Palace.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport and Sky Sport Italia, Milan’s first formal contact with Iraola came on May 15, when Cardinale, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and advisor Massimo Calvelli met the former Bournemouth coach in London to express their interest.

A two or three-year contract worth in excess of €3 million per season is understood to be ready, with bonuses tied to Champions League qualification.

ITALY – SEPTEMBER 03: Gerry Cardinale looks on before the Serie A match at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 03, 2022 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

After Iraola, Cardinale and Ibrahimovic hold Vienna talks with Rangnick over sporting director role at Milan

The primary complication remains Iraola’s family, who are settled in England, a factor that Crystal Palace, who are also pursuing the 43-year-old following Oliver Glasner’s departure, are hoping to exploit.

Milan are aware the Premier League side represent a genuine threat and are keen to accelerate discussions.

How Iraola would be a sensible pick for Milan, as track record speaks for itself.

Meanwhile, Cardinale and Ibrahimovic travelled to Vienna to hold talks with Austria national team coach Ralf Rangnick over a potential sporting director role at the club.

Rangnick, who had a difficult spell as Manchester United manager in 2021-22, has since rebuilt his reputation by leading Austria to both Euro 2024 and the World Cup. Former Liverpool CEO Ian Ayre and ex-Atalanta recruitment chief Lee Congerton have also been mentioned in connection with Milan’s director of football vacancy.