Leonardo: Milan ‘soulless’ and ’empty’ after Maldini’s departure

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Alessandro Bai | Last updated Mar 25, 2025 11:15 AM ET

Former Milan director and manager Leonardo claimed that the Rossoneri are ‘soulless’ after parting ways with club legend Paolo Maldini but believes this is just a temporary phase that ‘will pass’ eventually.

The Diavolo are on the lookout for a new sporting director, a role that became crucial after chaos seemed to take over their board following Maldini’s departure in June 2023 amid disagreements with new owners RedBird.

The former left-back had served as Milan’s technical director since taking over from Leonardo in 2019, and the Brazilian believes that ‘a great piece of passion’ left with him. However, he is confident that the Rossoneri are now trying to take a different path after realising they ‘made a mistake’.

Leonardo: Maldini had ‘Milan spirit’, a ‘piece of passion’ was sent away with him

“Does Milan spirit need to be stronger? But it was already there – his name was Paolo Maldini,” Leonardo told QS in an interview.

“As a director, he won a Scudetto and reached the Champions League semifinals. Then he was sent away, and with him, a great piece of passion.

“Today, everyone has realised it: Milan feels empty, soulless. But these are cycles, and it will pass. Also, I believe the club has understood that they made a mistake.”

Leonardo also had playing and coaching stints at Milan, despite managing Inter during the 2010-2011 season.

Recently, he strongly criticised the way American investment funds tend to run football clubs, suggesting they fail to appoint ‘top-level’ management and have little knowledge of the sport.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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