‘Maybe halfway’ - Paolo Maldini addresses future amid Manchester United sporting director links

Milan icon Paolo Maldini says he is not concerned about his future and joked about being in retirement as links with a role at Manchester United continue.

The five-time European cup winner is rumoured to be one name under consideration for the football director role at Old Trafford ahead of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority share investment. The Manchester Evening News reported earlier this week that John Murtough is expected to be replaced in his position.

Ratcliffe is expected to make several changes at boardroom level with CEO Richard Arnold due to step back from his role before the end of the year. Maldini was brought back to Milan as part of the club’s technical staff in 2018 before becoming sporting director a year later.

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The Italy hero helped guide Milan to the 2021/22 Serie A title, their first in 11 years, with the European giants now regulars in Champions League football again. Links with United have cast doubt over his future in his homeland but Maldini himself has indicated he is not worried about what may lie ahead.

On Wednesday evening, he was asked about his future and gave an emotional response when addressing the topic of full retirement from the game. “Every now and then I think about it, when I lost my parents I faced that loss,” Maldini told podcast ‘PoretCast’.

“When I turned 50 I thought: “You’re halfway there”, but maybe halfway… [laughs] But I’ve never had a problem with what comes next. In theory I’m retired, I’ve been taking my pension since last year. [laughs]”

Ratcliffe’s investment is due to be ratified within the coming weeks, or perhaps days. He is set