Tare: ‘Milan biggest disappointment was Pulisic, choosing Allegri, Cardinale problem’
VERONA, ITALY - APRIL 19: Igli Tare, Sporting Director of AC Milan looks on prior to the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and AC Milan at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on April 19, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Milan sacked Igli Tare in May, but he has broken his silence on why he chose Max Allegri, not getting the chance to speak to owner Gerry Cardinale, and why ‘Christian Pulisic was the biggest disappointment.’
The former Lazio chief was brought in as director of sport, a role that until his arrival had not existed at the club for a while, since the dismissal of Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara in 2023.
He did not even last a full year, as Tare was sacked along with coach Allegri, CEO Giorgio Furlani and director Geoffrey Moncada with a single, brutal press statement on May 25.
Tare spills beans on Milan experience
“The wound of failing to qualify for the Champions League is still deep, enormous in fact,” Tare told Sky Sport Italia Calcio Unplugged.
“If I come to a club like Milan with the target of getting into the Champions League, then I don’t know where I am. This is the most successful club in Italian football history, and after Real Madrid it is the most important in the world.”
RedBird patron Cardinale had been an aloof figure at first, but decided after cleaning house that he would take a much more hands-on approach to running the club.
“I am disappointed that those leading the club didn’t understand people needed to be given time, something that they are now doing better,” added Tare.
“I’d say you need several transfer market sessions to get a team that is competitive and ready to win. At the start, there was an important responsibility, missing out on Europe altogether and losing the Coppa Italia Final did a lot of damage to morale.
“We sold players for a lot of money and signed 10 new figures, so it takes time to integrate, understand and create a united group. We had, albeit in difficult circumstances, been first or second up until the end of March and start of April. In the last 10 rounds, our mentality just collapsed due to other issues that I don’t want to get into, but they did have an effect.
“I admit we too deserve some of the blame, because Max and I should’ve paid more attention to certain dynamics, be more present with the squad to get the season over the line.”
When Tare was brought in, it was meant to be as a director of sport, but he insists he never had a direct line to the man with the purse strings.
“I remember when we were in negotiations for Ardon Jashari, he called and wanted to understand what was happening. He said ‘if you need to spend a little more, just let me know, and I’m ready.’ However, I never got the chance to speak with him directly again, because there were people above me I didn’t want to over-ride.
“It would’ve been helpful to everyone, not just me, if we’d been able to discuss it directly. I think this is a new experience for Cardinale, he is used to other sports in America, but now he has taken on the responsibility at Milan.
“I would’ve preferred to have that presence when I was still at Milan, as it would’ve been very useful, but better late than never for the good of the club. I think the good of Milan is top of his priorities too.”
Among the roles tasked to Tare was the choice of a new coach, and he plumped for Allegri.
“I was thinking of the experience he brought at that time. When I arrived, the only thing I was asked was to hire an Italian coach, not a foreign one,” revealed Tare.
“I had a few ideas for foreign coaches, but the experience with Sergio Conceicao and Paulo Fonseca evidently wasn’t what they were after. Allegri won a lot as a coach, Milan is special to him, he won the Scudetto there first, so of course he was sad at the way it ended.
“He is not alone, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alessandro Nesta had great experiences elsewhere too, but Milan stands out for them, and I can confirm it’s true.”
This is also a legendary club abroad, and it is what prompted the arrival of Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric as a free agent after the experience at Real Madrid.
“I had the sensation this squad lacked leadership. The idea along with Modric was to sign Granit Xhaka, who at the time was the captain of Bayer Leverkusen, to guide the others. Luka is more silent in his attitude on the pitch.”
There was an intriguing comment from Tare that suggested more tension behind the scenes with some players.
“The biggest disappointment was Pulisic, I expected more from him in terms of responsibility and leadership. He’s a great player, but some things happened that I had never experienced in my career. Pulisic didn’t score a goal for six months. Santiago Gimenez didn’t score either.
“I guess these things happen in football, but when you have a drought that long, it ends up affecting the whole team’s performance.”
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