Milan’s Restructuring Plans Stall
AC Milan have been dealt a significant setback in their bid to overhaul the club’s management structure, with key targets Markus Krösche and Timmo Hardung now set to stay at Eintracht Frankfurt. The Serie A side had already appointed Rúben Amorim as head coach, but plans to install a new director of football and sporting director have collapsed after the Bundesliga club refused to release the pair.
The Background to Milan’s Pursuit
Milan’s hierarchy had identified Krösche, Eintracht’s sporting director, and Hardung, the head of recruitment, as the ideal duo to spearhead a new era at San Siro. After weeks of negotiations, both men had reportedly reached personal agreements with the Rossoneri and had even given their blessing to the appointment of Amorim as the new coach. The Portuguese tactician, formerly of Sporting CP, was officially unveiled earlier this week, but the structural underpinning intended to support him now lies in tatters.
According to Football Italia, citing sources in Germany, Eintracht’s board has taken a hardline stance, unwilling to lose two of their most influential backroom figures at such a critical juncture in their own planning for the 2026-27 campaign.
The Breakdown: Fees and Futures
The crux of the impasse is financial. Milan, still navigating a tight budget after years of restructuring, were reportedly unwilling to pay a compensation fee to secure the duo’s release. Eintracht, for their part, had no intention of simply tearing up contracts for two men seen as essential to their long-term project.
“Eintracht are unwilling to release their directors, as doing so would affect their planning for the 2026-27 season,” a source close to the negotiations told Gazzetta dello Sport.
The German club’s resolve has left Milan scrambling. With the summer transfer window already open, the lack of a permanent director of football could hinder Amorim’s ability to shape the squad he wants. The situation is all the more galling given that Krösche and Hardung were perceived as the final pieces in a carefully constructed puzzle.
What Next for Milan?
Milan’s search for a director of football and sporting director now has to start from scratch. The club had been so confident of landing the Eintracht pair that other candidates were not seriously entertained. With pre-season looming, the pressure is on to find experienced operators who can work with Amorim and the existing football department.
This blow comes at a time when Milan are also facing uncertainty over the future of veteran midfielder Luka Modrić, with Croatia legend Davor Šuker suggesting the 40-year-old will return to Real Madrid after the 2026 World Cup. The convergence of these challenges underscores the scale of the task facing CEO Giorgio Furlani and the ownership group.
Key Takeaways
- Milan had reached personal terms with Markus Krösche and Timmo Hardung, but Eintracht Frankfurt blocked their exit.
- The Bundesliga side were unwilling to release the pair without a compensation fee, which Milan did not want to pay.
- Rúben Amorim’s appointment as head coach was part of a wider restructuring plan that now looks disjointed.
- Milan must restart their search for a director of football and sporting director with the transfer window open.
- The setback adds to a summer of uncertainty at San Siro, with key player futures also undecided.
Quick Facts
Club Affected: AC Milan
Targets: Markus Krösche (Sporting Director), Timmo Hardung (Head of Recruitment)
Blocking Club: Eintracht Frankfurt
Reason: Unwilling to release directors; no compensation fee agreed
Milan’s Next Step: Restart search for director of football and sporting director