Friday, July 1, 2022 at 07:01• Tom Rofekamp • Last update: 07:04

Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara have signed a new contract just hours before their contracts expire. It was already known that the administrative duo was aiming for a longer stay in the San Siro, but there was no white smoke for the time being. With the two directors, Milan has managed to work its way from candidate for Champions League qualification in Serie A to actual winner of the scudetto over the past three seasons.

In Italy it was already open secret that Maldini (technical director) and Massara (sports director) wanted to continue their employment with Milan. The two longed for a bigger role, which they have now most likely been given. Maldini and Massara have signed for two years, with an option for a third year. “It worked, we extended at the last minute,” the former was quoted as saying by Italian media after making the scribbles. “We are happy to be here and plan to win a lot of trophies in the future. How will Milan perform next season? We got on a bit late (on the transfer market, ed.), but we will make up.”

The technical heart of the national champion has yet to complete the first incoming transfer, but countless names are already singing around in the San Siro. Divock Origi will almost certainly be brought in on a free transfer from Liverpool, while Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea), Charles De Ketelaere and Noa Lang (Club Brugge) are also high on the list. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is also on the verge of extending his expiring contract and Alessandro Florenzi’s lease is reportedly being converted into a permanent transfer. Opposite is the transfer-free exodus of strong holder Franck Kessié and Alessio Romagnoli.

Maldini and Massara have been active in their current positions since June 2019. The duo is particularly praised for the purchases that gave Milan the league title for the first time in eleven years last season. In addition to Kessié, Rafael Leão, Theo Hernández, Fikayo Tomori, Olivier Giroud and Mike Maignan, among others, were brought to the club by Maldini and right-hand man Massara. Maignan was voted Serie A’s best goalkeeper last season, while Leão took the title of best player.