AC Milan find themselves at a crucial crossroads, and club legend Fabio Capello has not held back in expressing his concerns. The former Rossoneri manager has openly criticized the uncertainty surrounding the club’s future, questioning both the handling of key personnel changes and the potential appointment of Ralf Rangnick.
In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Capello shared his thoughts on the growing instability at San Siro following a turbulent 2025/26 season. With major departures at both executive and coaching levels, combined with uncertainty over the futures of several star players, Milan are entering one of the most significant transitional periods in recent years.
For Capello, the situation is particularly worrying because it comes after back-to-back failures to qualify for the UEFA Champions League—an outcome that has increased pressure on ownership and intensified concerns among supporters.
AC Milan Facing a Period of Major Change
The end of the 2025/26 campaign brought dramatic changes throughout Milan’s organizational structure.
The club parted ways with head coach Massimiliano Allegri and sporting director Igli Tare, while senior executives Geoffrey Moncada and Giorgio Furlani also left their positions. These departures have created several vacancies in key decision-making roles, leaving supporters anxious about the direction of the club.
Capello believes the current uncertainty was almost inevitable given Milan’s recent struggles.
“This situation was predictable after two consecutive years without Champions League qualification,” Capello explained.
The former coach emphasized that Milan’s ownership must act quickly to fill these critical positions with the right people if the club hopes to regain its status among Europe’s elite.
At the same time, transfer speculation surrounding several important players has only added to the uncertainty, making this a particularly delicate moment for the Rossoneri.
Rafael Leao’s Exit Hints Raise Concerns
One of the biggest stories surrounding Milan in recent weeks has been the future of Rafael Leao.
The Portuguese forward has reportedly expressed a desire to seek a new challenge away from Serie A, fueling rumors of a potential transfer during the summer window.
Capello believes Leao’s recent comments could weaken Milan’s negotiating position and make it more difficult for the club to maximize his transfer value.
More importantly, he suggested that the player’s attitude has appeared increasingly disconnected from Milan over the past several months.
“Leao’s words perfectly reflect a behavior that has seemed more distant from Milan for some time now,” Capello said.
“You could already see signs of it on the pitch. Modern players often communicate their intentions very clearly, and in this case, I believe there may have been a strategy behind those comments, likely discussed with his representatives.”
Capello stopped short of making direct accusations but admitted that the timing of Leao’s statements felt suspicious.
“I don’t know exactly what happened, but the timing of those remarks certainly raises questions for me.”
Capello Questions Leao’s Maturity
While Capello acknowledged Leao’s immense talent, he also delivered some of his strongest criticism toward the Portuguese international’s mentality and development.
There is little debate regarding Leao’s technical ability. Over the past few seasons, he has been one of Milan’s most influential players, producing moments of brilliance that have thrilled supporters and helped drive the team’s success.
However, Capello believes the winger has not fully matured into the complete player many expected him to become.
“There is no doubt that he is an extraordinary talent,” Capello stated.
“For the last two or three years, he has been one of the players capable of making fans fall in love with the team.”
Despite those qualities, Capello feels Leao has often struggled to maintain the concentration and professionalism required to reach the very highest level of world football.
“What disappoints me is that he never truly matured. From my perspective, he often appears focused on things outside football.”
“Simply put, his concentration on the pitch has not always been what it should be.”
These comments are likely to spark debate among Milan supporters, many of whom still regard Leao as one of the club’s most important players despite his inconsistent performances.
Doubts Over Ralf Rangnick’s Potential Role
Capello also addressed reports linking Ralf Rangnick with a major role in Milan’s future sporting project.
The former RB Leipzig and Red Bull executive has emerged as one of the leading candidates to help oversee Milan’s rebuilding process. Reports suggest discussions involving Rangnick, Milan representatives, and Austrian football officials could take place soon.
Although Capello praised Rangnick’s achievements in Germany and Austria, he questioned whether the same model could succeed in Italian football.
“I don’t know him personally, but I certainly know his work,” Capello said.
“He built remarkable projects at Salzburg and Leipzig, almost from scratch. That deserves respect.”
However, Capello believes the unique culture of Italian football may present challenges that Rangnick has never previously encountered.
Why Rangnick’s Model May Not Fit Italian Football
One of Capello’s biggest concerns centers on Rangnick’s preferred management structure.
The German coach is known for favoring a system in which a sporting supervisor oversees the broader football project while the head coach focuses primarily on training and match preparation.
Capello remains unconvinced that such an approach would be effective in Serie A.
“The most difficult thing for me to imagine is how a coach in Italy can simply coach while another figure controls all the major sporting decisions,” Capello explained.
“It doesn’t matter how intelligent or clear the ideas may be—the reality of Italian football is different.”
His comments reflect a broader skepticism among some traditional football figures regarding the increasingly centralized sporting models that have become popular across Europe.
A Defining Moment for Milan’s Future
As Milan prepare for another crucial summer, the decisions made by ownership could shape the club’s trajectory for years to come.
The Rossoneri must not only identify the right leaders to fill key executive positions but also determine how to handle the futures of important players such as Rafael Leao.
At the same time, any potential appointment of Ralf Rangnick would signal a significant shift in philosophy and structure, potentially ushering in a new era for the club.
Capello’s remarks highlight the uncertainty surrounding Milan’s current situation. While change can often create opportunities for growth, it can also introduce new risks if not managed carefully.
For supporters, the hope is that the club’s next moves will mark the beginning of a successful rebuilding process rather than the continuation of recent instability. With expectations as high as ever, the coming months could prove decisive in determining whether AC Milan can return to the top of Italian and European football.
ALSO READ :
