In recent days, the Italian media has been flooded with news that Fabio Paratici and Massimiliano Allegri are the ideal candidates for Milan.
An example of what we mean can be found just by looking at La Gazzetta dello Sport. On March 8 came news that Allegri is the No.1 candidate for Milan, then on March 10 came the first mention of hiring him plus Paratici for an ‘Italian Diavolo’.
The very next day they did another double page spread about why the two former Juventus men are being considered by the Rossoneri hierarchy, on March 12 it was why Allegri is attracted by Milan, then earlier today the angle was how Rafael Leao would benefit from the coach returning.
However, by carefully analysing the context and the dynamics at play, a very different picture emerges compared to the one painted by many media outlets. More than a real negotiation, there seems to be strong media pressure to guide the choices of the Rossoneri management.
Political power and friendly press
It is no mystery that Paratici and Allegri enjoy significant influence in the world of Italian football. Their ‘political’ power is enviable, as is the credit given to them by many newspapers, even very important ones, often directed by journalists who are declared friends.
This, together obviously with the absolute value of the two, would explain the growing number of articles that push their respective futures at Milan. However, the pressure exerted from outside does not automatically mean that the Rossoneri management are on the same wavelength.
A crucial aspect to consider is that the real discussions between Milan and the possible candidates for the sporting direction have not yet begun. Why? Giorgio Furlani only had the decision-making powers affirmed last week, and the first meetings might not have even taken place.
Furthermore, without a sporting director, there can be no ‘number one candidate’ to take over from Sergio Conceicao, not yet anyway. Consequently, taking Allegri’s nomination for granted seems at least premature.
Are Paratici and Allegri compatible?
On the other hand, the policy held so far by RedBird Capital does not seem at all oriented towards an operation involving Paratici and Allegri. The line adopted so far by Milan has always had financial sustainability as its guiding star, even to the detriment of sporting performance.
Hiring two figures with high economic and sporting demands such as Paratici and Allegri represents an antithesis to this. As spoken about in another recent feature, they would probably be more inclined to go down the ‘European’ route unless there has been a total change of course.
Furthermore, the two have been accustomed for years to work with more streamlined and defined ownerships (such as Juventus with the Agnelli family) and not with an investment fund, by its very nature more controlled than ambitious.
A further constructed Narrative?
In addition to the rumours about Paratici and Allegri, another recurring theme is that of the so-called ‘Italianisation’ of Milan. Several newspapers and commentators are pushing the idea that the club should rely on directors and coaches with experience in Serie A.
Although it may be useful to have figures who know the league well, this warning light does not seem to have yet appeared on the board of the machine led by Gerry Cardinale. The search for an Italian identity also in this case appears more the result of a media construction than a real need of the club.
With this we do not want to get into the merits of the work done by the Italian press in sponsoring the name of two profiles of the highest value such as the aforementioned duo. After all, they have a tremendous body of work behind them and are legitimate candidates regardless of the papers.
It should be clarified, however, that the strong media push in favour of the two former Juventus men is not currently confirmed by the facts. Milan have not yet started a definitive decision-making process and, considering the RedBird policy, the possibility of seeing both arrive remains speculative.
