Paolo Maldini admits he has to 'evaluate Gennaro Gattuso coldly' | OneFootball

Gennaro Gattuso has been offered no assurances on his job by his friend and old teammate Paolo Maldini.

The legendary former club captain is now back at the club as a strategic development director, meaning he will have a say on the coach’s future.

With Gattuso under pressure to stay in the dugout if he cannot secure Champions League football, Maldini won’t be taking their past relationship into consideration.

“We need to have respect for him, we are both at Milan trying to make things work,” Maldini told DAZN when quizzed on Gattuso’s job security.

“Views can be different but our relationship does help us to overcome difficult moments, although I must evaluate his work coldly.

“We have different roles now, we are not teammates.”

The 126-cap Italy international also warned Rossoneri fans to expect a long road as he aims to try bring the club back to the top tier once more.

“The goal is to have Milan be a club who are a major protagonist again and that may take some time,” he explained.

“Our idea is to own a stadium, perhaps with Inter, but one of the highest level. In short, this is a long term project.”

Maldini returned to the club in August of last year after the Diavolo entered into new ownership.