Milan close to final decision on new sporting director: Two choices | OneFootball

Tuesday’s reports claim that Milan are close to reaching a final agreement over an appointment for their vacant sporting director role, with former Lazio executive Igli Tare back as the favourite.

Milan’s casting for a new sporting director has dragged on for several months, with former Juventus and Tottenham executive Fabio Paratici close to coming on board at one stage. Tony D’Amico of Atalanta, Giovanni Sartori of Bologna and Giovanni Manna of Napoli have also been considered for the role.

Most recently, it was former Atalanta, Chelsea, Celtic and Leicester director/scout Lee Congerton dubbed as the ‘frontrunner’ for the Milan gig. The Welshman is currently employed by Al-Ahli of the Saudi Pro League.

Tare back as frontrunner for Milan sporting director

LA SPEZIA, ITALY – APRIL 14: Igli Tare of SS Lazio looks on during the Serie A match between Spezia Calcio and SS Lazio at Stadio Alberto Picco on April 14, 2023 in La Spezia, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

However, the latest updates from La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Tare is back as the most likely recipient of the sporting director role in San Siro. The Pink Paper originally claimed that Congerton was leading the race first thing on Tuesday morning, only for Tare to become the frontrunner again by midday.

Tuesday’s report claims that Milan and Tare have never lost contact after their first series of meetings. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gerry Cardinale met with Tare back in Fabruary, as did CEO Giorgio Furlani later down the line.

The latest updates claim that the relevant parties have been in contact again over the last few days and that there is a possibility of a ‘handshake’ in the near future.

Gianluca Di Marzio adds that there will be a new and ‘decisive’ meeting between Tare, his representatives and those from Milan in the coming days, before the beginning of next week, and likely over the weekend.