MILAN: Zvonimir Boban left his role as FIFA deputy secretary general on Friday to join his former club and “family” AC Milan, while Paolo Maldini’s appointment as technical director was also confirmed by the Italian giants.
The 50-year-old Croatian Boban has been working at FIFA since 2016, but will now take a job as Italian giants Milan’s “chief football officer,” to work alongside Maldini.
Boban spent 10 years as a player at Milan from 1991 until 2001, winning four Serie A titles and the 1993-94 Champions League.
“The people at AC Milan are my family and the city of Milan and Italy are my home,” said Boban.
“I have a burning desire to help this glorious club, which means so much to me, to return where it belongs.”
Gennaro Gattuso quit as Milan head coach last month, reportedly over spending cuts ahead of the transfer window.
The seven-time European champions finished only fifth in Serie A last season, missing out on a return to the Champions League for the first time since 2014.
“Milan must be a leading and winning club, because this is the only nature of its history and it’s the essence of our fans and their passion,” Boban added.
“I will give all of myself for this cause and for the Rossoneri colors. When Paolo called me to check on my availability, I jumped into my car and went to his home in Milan in the middle of the night to evaluate the situation.”
Milan are yet to name a new coach, while Brazilian Leonardo also stepped down as sporting director and is expected to rejoin former club Paris Saint-Germain.
Maldini steps into his shoes as technical director, a move that chief executive Ivan Gazidis already said last month he was looking to make happen.
“I am confident Paolo will be able to project his experience, his vision and his leadership,” said Gazidis on Friday.
“Paolo is an integral part of AC Milan and knows the way to success. He will be an important example for all.”
The 50-year-old Maldini played over 900 games across 25 seasons with Milan at the San Siro, lifting the European Cup five times, as well as seven Serie A titles and the 2003 Coppa Italia.
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He has 16 career ATP titles although the last came in Geneva in 2017.
Wawrinka reached a high of third in the world in 2014, but he has struggled with injuries in past years and is now ranked 157th.
His 582 tour-level wins are fourth most among active players, just behind Gael Monfils, who also plans to retire at the end of next year.
Wawrinka won Olympic gold in doubles alongside Federer at Beijing in 2008 and helped deliver a first Davis Cup triumph for Switzerland in 2014.
He is due to begin his final season in Perth at the United Cup, which starts on January 2.
Boban, Maldini join former club AC Milan in reshuffle
Boban, Maldini join former club AC Milan in reshuffle
- Boban spent 10 years as a player at Milan from 1991 until 2001, winning four Serie A titles and the 1993-94 Champions League
- The 50-year-old Maldini played over 900 games across 25 seasons with Milan at the San Siro, lifting the European Cup five times, as well as seven Serie A titles
Three-time Grand Slam winner Wawrinka to retire in 2026
- “It’s time to write the final chapter of my career as a professional tennis player. 2026 will be my last year on tour,” Wawrinka posted Friday
- His 582 tour-level wins are fourth most among active players
PARIS: Stan Wawrinka says the 2026 season will be his last as the three-time Grand Slam singles champion aims to finish his career “on the best note possible.”
“Every book needs an ending. It’s time to write the final chapter of my career as a professional tennis player. 2026 will be my last year on tour,” Wawrinka posted Friday on social media.
Wawrinka, who turns 41 in March, won the Australian Open in 2014, the French Open a year later and the US Open in 2016, at a time when Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were dominating men’s tennis.
He has 16 career ATP titles although the last came in Geneva in 2017.
Wawrinka reached a high of third in the world in 2014, but he has struggled with injuries in past years and is now ranked 157th.
His 582 tour-level wins are fourth most among active players, just behind Gael Monfils, who also plans to retire at the end of next year.
Wawrinka won Olympic gold in doubles alongside Federer at Beijing in 2008 and helped deliver a first Davis Cup triumph for Switzerland in 2014.
He is due to begin his final season in Perth at the United Cup, which starts on January 2.
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