The Rumour Commode L - Take the L

[Alo88]

Perhaps because he had to defend his position against the incessant media hounding claiming he was never really close to Pep in the first place?

According to many on here, the Pep story was all a sham to make everyone feel like a genuine attempt was made before moving onto the cheap, unambitious and unpopular Pirlo?

This goes both ways.

So the story is confirmed now because... Maldini says it happened?

"He was already drawing up line-ups, he was asking for less money than Gattuso and he told us he was ready – until he decided he wasn't."

Boh. It's Maldini, so I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt, and I'm not saying he's making the story up. But his own account isn't exactly independent confirmation of his own account either.

And that's not really what bothers me anyway. It's this pattern with Maldini that I struggle with. Malagò may be the biggest dinosaur in Italian football (he probably is so fuck him), but at least he went in front of the cameras, described the split as consensual and openly took responsibility for the decision that ultimately led to it. End of story.

Maldini, meanwhile, once again walks away when things don't go his way and then starts airing the dirty laundry afterwards. Who wanted whom, who changed what, what had supposedly been agreed and whose fault it ultimately was. Maybe he's completely right about all of it. But at some point you also start wondering why working relationships involving him seem to end with bridges burned so often.

That's what I meant with my original post. It's not about defending Malagò or claiming the Guardiola story was a sham. I just find this whole former-SD ritual of explaining afterwards how everything would have worked out if only everyone else had stuck to the plan a bit tiring and unworthy of a persona like Maldini.

 

[milanator]

Tbh I never doubted that he tried for Pep and then went for Pirlo. This is actually very Maldini like

 

[Samaldinho]

He is right on every point.

Just a shame he threw the chance to fix it because of Pirlo.

It seems from his comments it isn't about Pirlo, but because what was agreed to explicitly was torn up.

I hate Pirlo, I really do, but I think Maldini's structural plans and vision were spot-on. Italy needs that sort of revolution.

If Italy get a group of good players randomly--or if Dortmund does all the developing for them lol--it might paper over the cracks, but there are large structural problems to Italy, which we all know.

Hopefully the changes happen, so we may benefit lol.

 

[Rockstar]

Pep only works when he has historical players. You can say he failed at City in CL, cause the level of the team was behind at least by some compared with his Barca (Top 3 squad of all time)

 

[Milanista from Russia]

He’s such a crappy person. Because of him, Italy missed three World Cups, and Milan hasn’t played in the Champions League for two years. And he shifts all the blame for his own mistakes onto others. That’s the kind of times we live in. Yeah.

 

[punisher]

He’s such a crappy person. Because of him, Italy missed three World Cups, and Milan hasn’t played in the Champions League for two years. And he shifts all the blame for his own mistakes onto others. That’s the kind of times we live in. Yeah.

Who?

 

[rossonero1]

#Maldini to @Corriere: “Technically, we’re a country that no longer produces talented players. Something isn’t working at a systemic level. My sons saw it in the Milan youth teams: it’s all about tactics; if a kid has talent, it’s a problem. But that goes against the rules of modern soccer. And then we have dilapidated stadiums, inadequate training facilities. We wanted to involve everyone to change rules and regulations in the shortest time possible.

What rules? A Pact for the National Teams. Rules that would push Italian players to play in Serie A, B, and C teams. Mandatory investments in youth sectors. Here we no longer know how to defend and no longer know how to attack; we’re slow; and the referees whistle too much.

We need to train coaches in a more modern way.
Today a coach who works with kids between 10 and 14 years old earns a thousand euros a month, has to have a second job. We need to help them, because that’s the decisive age.

I have a regret that I’ll carry with me. I had taken on a heavy commitment that in those days had almost become a dream: to do something for the next generations, to build a competitive Italy. A dream interrupted but beautiful, also because of the many people I had found willing to work. Do you know what Guardiola talked to us about at length?

The impact Cruijff had on Spanish soccer. For two years he was fought by everyone. But if today Spain produces talents, it’s thanks to Cruijff’s guidance. We don’t want to compare ourselves to him. But that was the path. Difficult, long; but it would have changed the identity of Italian soccer.
It’s a shame. A real shame”

Maldini jr is garbage. He's on a new team every season. I think they shipped him out to Cagliari now.

 

[Pigeon]

He’s such a crappy person. Because of him, Italy missed three World Cups, and Milan hasn’t played in the Champions League for two years. And he shifts all the blame for his own mistakes onto others. That’s the kind of times we live in. Yeah.

c'mon man

you’re too harsh on maldini

 

[Curupira]

But at some point you also start wondering why working relationships involving him seem to end with bridges burned so often.

Or why only failing/messy institutions are interested in him in the first place

 

[rossonero1]

So all the rumours were true.

Maldini wanted to change too much and the Italian dinosaurs got scared.
The Peerlo crisis was just a spectacle to get him to resign.

It's a PR stunt by both Maldini and Malago to save face. Nothing more.

 

[Curupira]

c'mon man

you’re too harsh on maldini

Heathen mad

 

[rossonero1]

Tbh I never doubted that he tried for Pep and then went for Pirlo. This is actually very Maldini like

Pirlo? De Rossi? Grosso? Thank god Maldini stepped down.

It wasn't just Andrea Pirlo. Paolo Maldini and Leonardo’s vision for the Italian setup included two other World Cup winners: Daniele De Rossi and Fabio Grosso, who were slated to work alongside the former *Bianconero* – read more at: https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/ser...evo-de-rossi-grosso-toccare-tecnici-a-2261518

 

[Curupira]

Maldini jr is garbage. He's on a new team every season. I think they shipped him out to Cagliari now.

So loyal that he sacrificed his son to prove how much of a failure Milan/Italy youth is despite having much better ideas

 

[milanator]

Pirlo? De Rossi? Grosso? Thank god Maldini stepped down.

It wasn't just Andrea Pirlo. Paolo Maldini and Leonardo’s vision for the Italian setup included two other World Cup winners: Daniele De Rossi and Fabio Grosso, who were slated to work alongside the former *Bianconero* – read more at: https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/ser...evo-de-rossi-grosso-toccare-tecnici-a-2261518

Well he picked Giampaolo and Pioli (world class outcome but a controversial profile) for us so ...

 

[doraemon]

Maldini jr is garbage. He's on a new team every season. I think they shipped him out to Cagliari now.

Probably will play in serie b before he turns 30

 

[Deep Fried Pizza & Chips]

I’m sad to be excluded! No one needs a great day more than your run of the mill c’nt

Only cunts that matter are "good cunts", the rest are just plain cunts... So, are you a good cunt?

 

[Curupira]

He is right on every point.

Just a shame he threw away the chance to fix it because of Pirlo.

Not throwing it away is for broke boys

Every other professional who tries to work within the system are only doing it bc they have financial pressure

 

[rossonero1]

Sounds like Malago is saying Torino, Milan, Rome, Firenze and Napoli will be the 5 stadiums for Euro 2032. Juve's stadium, Roma's new stadium, Milan/Inter's new stadium, and renovated Fiorentina and Napoli stadiums.

"I am not worried, but I am someone who doesn't want to waste a single second—someone who wants to stay constantly on top of things. We won't miss the opportunity, thanks to the collaboration of all the parties involved. What else is there besides Turin? It is not for me to say; that is a matter for the technical departments. Of course, it is possible that the list could end up including the five major Italian cities: Turin, Milan, Rome, Florence, and Naples."

 

[sheva]

So the story is confirmed now because... Maldini says it happened?

"He was already drawing up line-ups, he was asking for less money than Gattuso and he told us he was ready – until he decided he wasn't."

Boh. It's Maldini, so I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt, and I'm not saying he's making the story up. But his own account isn't exactly independent confirmation of his own account either.

And that's not really what bothers me anyway. It's this pattern with Maldini that I struggle with. Malagò may be the biggest dinosaur in Italian football (he probably is so fuck him), but at least he went in front of the cameras, described the split as consensual and openly took responsibility for the decision that ultimately led to it. End of story.

Maldini, meanwhile, once again walks away when things don't go his way and then starts airing the dirty laundry afterwards. Who wanted whom, who changed what, what had supposedly been agreed and whose fault it ultimately was. Maybe he's completely right about all of it. But at some point you also start wondering why working relationships involving him seem to end with bridges burned so often.

That's what I meant with my original post. It's not about defending Malagò or claiming the Guardiola story was a sham. I just find this whole former-SD ritual of explaining afterwards how everything would have worked out if only everyone else had stuck to the plan a bit tiring and unworthy of a persona like Maldini.

exactly

"Pep didn't deny it, so it must be true", Yeah, Pep will run ahead and denounce Maldini's words and bury Maldo's name. Any day now.
As long as Maldo hadn't put Pep's name to shame with his story, it's simply a nice PR move to show that he's not completely financially incompetent by thinking that a 20m Guardiola will accept 1/10 of that.
Nah, it's simply because of Pep's burnout.

Did Pep not communicate that at the beginning? He needed to draw up formations to understand that the task ahead is too much?
The story could've been reliable if Maldo didn't insert the line of "He would've joined for 1 euro less than the former coach".
As someone who follows Italian journous for a while, this is the exact exaggeration and storytelling Italians like to overhype, which usually means the original narrative is false.

No ounce of humility in the entire interview, no self-inquiry, nothing. It's all just tantrums and 'they did not back their words' (guy who left the job after two weeks), so all bets are off.
In other words, a classic Paolo Maldini interview.

 

[MilanMagic]

I have some wishful thinking that many deals are being set behind the close door and there will be swift movements like the rumor about Hojbjerg. I do not like him that much but stats showed that while he was not great at defending, for the last 5 years he was in the top 5% passing Mid (Although it can be De Jong effect).

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg Stats - Goals, xG, Assists, xA & Career Stats | FootyStats

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg's performance statistics for Olympique Marseille and national team. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg is a Midfielder who have played in 32 matches and scored 4 Goals in the 2025/2026 season of Ligue 1 in France. Other data include Goals per Match, Conceded Goals, Conceded per Match ...

footystats.org

If roumors of Inacio, Sule, and Osorio are true it means we are aiming to recruit great possession players, calm and with less intensity (hope it is true).

Inacio has been top 1% in passing:

Gonçalo Inácio Stats - Goals, Blocks, xG & Career Stats | FootyStats

Gonçalo Inácio's performance statistics for Sporting CP and national team. Gonçalo Inácio is a Defender who have played in 29 matches and scored 2 Goals in the 2025/2026 season of Liga NOS in Portugal. Other data include Goals per Match, Conceded Goals, Conceded per Match ...

footystats.org

Sule always in top 10% key pass even when he was a teen:

Matías Soulé Stats - Goals, xG, Assists & Career Stats | FootyStats

Matías Soulé's performance statistics for Roma and national team. Matías Soulé is a Forward who have played in 33 matches and scored 6 Goals in the 2025/2026 season of Serie A in Italy. Other data include Goals per Match, Conceded Goals, Conceded per Match ...

footystats.org

Osorio is also good at dribbling and key passes:

Darío Esteban Osorio Osorio Stats - Goals, xG, Assists & Career Stats | FootyStats

Darío Esteban Osorio Osorio's performance statistics for Midtjylland and national team. Darío Esteban Osorio Osorio is a Forward who have played in 28 matches and scored 6 Goals in the 2025/2026 season of Superliga in Denmark. Other data include Goals per Match, Conceded Goals, Conceded per...

footystats.org

So if the line up is this:

Mike
Gila-Inac-Pavlo
Oso-Hoj-Rabi-Saele
Sule-Puli
Ramos​

We practically replaced the worst possession players in Tomori, maybe Rici, Estu, Leao with the top 10% possission player. For me there are at least 6 great passers in Mike, Gila, Inac, Hoj, Rabi, Ramos (He has insane numbers for a backup CF) and the rest have decent passing. Again the problem will be pressing on top which we have failed miserably after scudetto season.

This team is clearly not perfect and weak defensively but if we can go ultra possesion with great pressing it is fun to watch, which we absolutely deserve after a year of Max ball.

For sales it is hard to sell fodder of a loosing team but we have to cut the rooster to less than 25 players.

Hope we can give Amorim these players so we can bash him with clear conscience come December .

 

[rossonero1]

Well he picked Giampaolo and Pioli (world class outcome but a controversial profile) for us so ...

To this day I'll never understand the the hot streak Pioli was on for a few years. Never adds up to the rest of his coaching career.

 

[milanator]

How is Leao a bad possession player, one of the few in the squad who can play a final pass or cross consistently.

He may loose possession but that's not because he is doing back passes.

 

[Deep Fried Pizza & Chips]

Hahaha Maldini dropped an interview then?



Hotpocket crew assemble...

 

[Deep Fried Pizza & Chips]

How is Leao a bad possession player, one of the few in the squad who can play a final pass or cross consistently.

He may loose possession but that's not because he is doing back passes.

Possession stats look better with less progressive play though... So Leao bad?

 

[rossonero1]

Leave it to the foreign clubs to buy and develop the young Italian players. I think Dortmund are buying another, youth player from Genoa. Roberto Scaglione.

 

[Correctamundo]

Well he picked Giampaolo and Pioli (world class outcome but a controversial profile) for us so ...

Pioli wasn't his pick + he wanted Ragnick as a manager

 

[rossonero1]

Leao doesn't want to play with Lukaku?

 

[Pippo]

So the story is confirmed now because... Maldini says it happened?

"He was already drawing up line-ups, he was asking for less money than Gattuso and he told us he was ready – until he decided he wasn't."

Boh. It's Maldini, so I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt, and I'm not saying he's making the story up. But his own account isn't exactly independent confirmation of his own account either.

And that's not really what bothers me anyway. It's this pattern with Maldini that I struggle with. Malagò may be the biggest dinosaur in Italian football (he probably is so fuck him), but at least he went in front of the cameras, described the split as consensual and openly took responsibility for the decision that ultimately led to it. End of story.

Maldini, meanwhile, once again walks away when things don't go his way and then starts airing the dirty laundry afterwards. Who wanted whom, who changed what, what had supposedly been agreed and whose fault it ultimately was. Maybe he's completely right about all of it. But at some point you also start wondering why working relationships involving him seem to end with bridges burned so often.

That's what I meant with my original post. It's not about defending Malagò or claiming the Guardiola story was a sham. I just find this whole former-SD ritual of explaining afterwards how everything would have worked out if only everyone else had stuck to the plan a bit tiring and unworthy of a persona like Maldini.

Ok the first point regarding the veracity of his story:

Sure, you don't have to believe him. That's a question for everyone who's interested to decide. I'm inclined to believe him personally. You think he'd lie about what transpired in a story of national significance? This could turn into a huge scandal if so. I take Maldini's reputation and word any day over Malagò (who even claims Mancini is not his friend). Looking further back, Gerry too, what a trustworthy and upstanding owner we have. Sure, let's take his side over Maldini's any day.

Did Maldini say the split wasn't consensual? Sounds like Malagò just left out a ton of details that don't make him look bad. Why else would Maldini quit? Like I said at some point when it happened, the trust was broken and the relationship became untenable.

Maybe he should be airing out the dirty laundry anyways. Isn't Italian football a total disaster? Sounds like he was trying to make change and the old guard came in to revert everything back. At least people in Italy who care about football deserve to know this. Who cares about working relationships in this context. The issue is more important than a working relationship with the Malagò.

Whether you think his interviews post-Milan were appropriate at all is another story, but in this case he seems totally justified.

 

[rossonero1]

According to @lequipe, Ruben Amorim had a phone call with Ismaëlo Ganiou to try to get him to sign with Milan. The French defender extended his contract with RC Lens until 2030 this afternoon.

 

[fray]

I have a strange feeling that Soule to Milan will happen by next week or so ...