Maldini: “Milan? I am willing to return, but I want to understand how things are first”

Paolo Maldini had a long interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, in which he said he was ready to return to Milan, but on his own terms. The history between the ex-player and the rossoneri is too important for just a superficial return: "I want to clear things up. This isn't a message of anger or resentment, but of clarity. I want to start things off by saying I respect Fassone a lot, and he has a delicate task on his hands. I saw him four times in a month, and he told me that I'm their one and only choice, explaining that my life and my history are the basis of their decision. Everything that I've done for Milan has an important value in the conversation. Tutto quello che ho fatto per il Milan ha un peso importante. However, just out of respect to my history at the club, if I accept to go back to Milan, I'll only do it to follow my ideals. Però, proprio per rispetto della mia storia, se io accetto di entrare nel Milan lo faccio solo seguendo i miei ideali. I love this club a lot, and I can only help by listening to my heart and my head. For the good of Milan, I have to be myself." Maldini reiterated several times that he wanted clarity: "I would like to at least know the new owners, share our thoughts on the project, talk about strategies, listen to their goals and guidelines. I met David Han Li, the vice president of the fund, and the only one who speaks English. It was just a short conversation of 10 minutes. He told me that they really want me back at Milan, but we didn't talk much further. It was them who came to search for me, so it's only right that I ask about these things. There are just two obvious obstacles: the lack of a direct responsibility in the technical area and the lack of clarity on the role." "Technical director? Yes, but what does that even mean? They proposed a structure with Fassone as the general manager, myself as the technical director, and Mirabelli as the sporting director. But the point is: what will I do? Mirabelli and I would manage the sports side of things, but if there's a difference in our views, who ultimately decides? I can't share a role with another person. It seems inevitable to face this problem now. I want to share in this sports project that today does not exist. That's why I asked to know the ownership, and find out directly from them what's expected of me, and to see that they will share their project with me. But now, it seems that the roles overlap in many areas. Too many areas. I was told that the goal is to bring Milan back among the top five teams in the world. But this means working 24 hours a day for a long time. I'm ready to do that, but first I want to know more." The definitive decision of the ex-Milan defender should come within the next few days: "I'm in no hurry. I just want to know what they intend to do for the good of Milan. Then I'll put in the credibility, the attachment to the colors, the time, the sharing of the project, and my work. It's normal that I want to meet with the new members of the club: I want to find out if the new ownership identifies with the rossoneri colors and myself; for me, that's fundamental. Economic differences? False. We never talked about money. How do I quantify my role if they haven't me what it will be yet? In our four meetings, we haven't even passed the first hurdle related to money." In closing, Maldini has already given his OK, but on his terms: "Until now, there have been lots of rumors, but little clarity. It's possible that it will happen. But only with defined roles and the sharing of this project. That was the case in the great Milan of Berlusconi. It's not me who has to give an answer to them, but they have to give an answer to me. I realize that I can seem like a complicated man, but this character and my approach to sport and life have made me into the man I am today, and the man I was on the pitch. I'm obligated to be like this: this is Milan. It is no joke." @GIANMARCalciO