Boban reflects on interview that got him fired by Milan: “I had to do it publicly” | OneFootball

Zvone Boban was sacked by AC Milan at the beginning of March 2020 after criticising the ownership in an interview. A legal battle has been ongoing ever since and during a recent interview, the former player reflected on the whole ordeal.

It was in February 2020 that Boban decided to take matters into his own hands as he, Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara were unable to get in touch with the ownership. Instead, through the CEO Ivan Gazidis, Elliott Management had started talks with Ralf Rangnick.

The interview was published in Gazzetta dello Sport, with Boban labelling the ownership ‘disrespectful’ and ‘inelegant’. He was fired shortly thereafter for just cause and there has been a legal battle ever since.

Speaking live on Radio Deejay (via MilanNews), Boban reflected on the whole ordeal and made it clear that he thinks he did the right thing. It’s not hard to agree with him as it has since been confirmed that Elliott did indeed conduct talks with Rangnick, even if Stefano Pioli remained in the end.

Why did you get fired?

“For an interview that I found to be indisputable. After a few months, we found ourselves with neither support nor trust. They wanted to bring in Rangnick as the new manager, they had started talks. We were unable to get a clarification.

“At that moment, we had made a correction on the mercato and had also changed the manager [from Giampaolo to Pioli], we had the courage to admit the mistakes that we made in good faith. After the January market, with the arrival of important players like Kjaer, Saelemaekers and Ibrahimovic as well as the sale of Suso and Piatek, we were unable to clarify our position.

“So I had to do it publicly because the owners had already started contacts with Rangnick for the following season. I gave an interview to Gazzetta dello Sport which I think was very correct and they fired me for just cause. We are still in court, I’m sorry but that’s life.”

How is your relationship with Paolo Maldini?

“It’s excellent. Paolo and I are friends, I believe and hope that we will be for life. I have no problems with anyone: I love, support and watch Milan with great interest. I’ve heard many comments, but I am the way I am, I say what I think.”

A grudge against Milan?

“But what does Milan have to do with it? Milan has nothing to do with the ownership. If you support Milan, you love Milan, you just love it.”