Milan appoint Tare as new sporting director
AC Milan have appointed Albanian Igli Tare as their new sporting director, the Serie A club announced on Monday, as part of a broader reset following a disappointing season.
The 51-year-old former forward joins after Milan finished eighth in Serie A and missed out on European competition for the first time since 2019.
"We are pleased to welcome Tare to the Rossoneri family. He is the right person to kick-off our reset," Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani said in a statement.
Tare spent 15 years as sporting director at Lazio, overseeing a period that included three Coppa Italia and three Italian Super Cup titles. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
44 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Italy rocked in Oslo as Spalletti hints at crisis talks
Soccer Football - World Cup - European Qualifiers - Group I - Norway v Italy - Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway - June 6, 2025 Italy coach Luciano Spalletti reacts Lise Aserud/NTB via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NORWAY OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN NORWAY. Coach Luciano Spalletti admitted Italy are going through a difficult patch after their humbling loss in Norway and said he would speak with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) about the situation. Italy have not reached a World Cup since 2014 — a painful drought for a nation that once stood proudly among football's elite with four world titles to their name. With an abysmal start to the qualifying campaign, after being dominated by Norway in a 3-0 loss in Oslo on Friday, Spalletti is already under pressure. His side were constantly punished by a Norwegian team that dominated on the counterattack and they were clearly second best on a rainy night at Ullevaal Stadium. "We need a bit more enthusiasm, as individuals. We need to add something more, otherwise something has got to change," Spalletti told reporters. "This is not who we are, because in terms of individuals, we can do more, but you can also see this is a difficult moment. A few things did happen to us, but this is the squad I chose and will continue with," he added. When asked about his position as the manager of the Italian national team, Spalletti admitted that there would be difficult conversation coming up with the FIGC. "I need to talk to President (Gabriele) Gravina about their intentions, their view on the decision I make," Spalletti said. "I chose this group because I thought there was quality, but if we are so fragile that we don't keep an offside trap, we don't chase down opponents, then there is a lack of confidence. "Quality isn't enough without that." Spalletti was also asked if he is worried that the World Cup might be already out of reach after the Norway loss. "There are always worries, because after a performance like that, you clearly have to ask yourself questions and realise there are problems, but you have to face them, because there is no other possibility," he said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Late equaliser sees North Macedonia hold Belgium to draw
Soccer Football - European Qualifiers - Group J - North Macedonia v Belgium - National Arena Todor Proeski, Skopje, North Macedonia - June 6, 2025 North Macedonia's Visar Musliu in action with Belgium's Thomas Meunier who is holding North Macedonia's Eljif Elmas REUTERS/Ognen Teofilovski Soccer Football - European Qualifiers - Group J - North Macedonia v Belgium - National Arena Todor Proeski, Skopje, North Macedonia - June 6, 2025 Belgium's Thomas Meunier and North Macedonia's Ezgjan Alioski react as Belgium's Alexis Saelemaekers lays on the ground REUTERS/Ognen Teofilovski SKOPJE - North Macedonia equalised four minutes from time to hold Belgium to a 1-1 draw in their World Cup qualifying tie on Friday and keep up their unbeaten start to their Group J campaign. Ezgjan Alioski scored a superb goal as he latched onto a cross from Darko Churlinov that floated over his head before he met it with perfect precision to volley home. Maxim De Cupyer's first half goal had Belgium in the lead as they played their first game of the campaign for places at the 2026 finals in North America. North Macedonia have five points, with one win and two draws from their opening three games, while Wales took over the lead in the standings after they beat Liechtenstein 3-0 at home on Friday to move to seven points. De Cupyer bundled the ball into the net in the 28th minute after Romelu Lukaku's initial effort had been blocked by the heels of a defender. North Macedonia had a chance one minute earlier to open the scoring as Eljif Elmas turned into space in the penalty area and struck the ball against the far post. The rebound fell for Alioski with an open goal in front of him, but he hit the other post in a major missed opportunity. Elmas had the ball in the Belgian net two minutes into the second half but his shot took a slight deflection off teammate Bojan Ilievski, who was in an offside position and VAR chalked off the potential. But the home side finally got rewards for their efforts with Alioski's goal keeping alive their hopes. The group winners qualify for next year's finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States and the runners-up advances to the playoffs. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Defiant Postecoglou proud of Spurs reign despite sacking
LONDON - Ange Postecoglou insisted he was proud of his turbulent Tottenham reign despite being sacked on June 6 as the Australian claimed he had defied the odds by ending the club's trophy drought. Postecoglou led Tottenham to their first silverware for 17 years just 16 days ago when they beat Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final in Bilbao. But securing a lucrative place in next season's Champions League by winning Tottenham's first European prize since 1984 wasn't enough to save Postecoglou. The Australian paid the price for presiding over Tottenham's 17th place finish in the Premier League, which ranked as their worst top-flight season since they were relegated in 1976-77. Despite the numerous problems that rocked Tottenham during his two-season spell, including injuries to a host of key players, Postecoglou was adamant he had relished the battle to finally deliver a trophy in difficult circumstances. 'There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible,' the 59-year-old said in a statement after his sacking. 'When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur my overriding emotion is one of pride. 'The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. 'Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. 'That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream.' 'We are forever connected' Postecoglou, hired from Celtic exactly two years ago, endured months of speculation over his future as Tottenham spluttered through their dismal domestic campaign. He had hoped Tottenham's first silverware since the 2008 League Cup would spare him from the axe. Tottenham Hotspur's head coach Ange Postecoglou holds aloft the Europa League trophy, following their mid-week win in the Europa League Final on May 21. PHOTO: AFP But Postecoglou returned from a family holiday in Greece to discover chairman Daniel Levy had made his ruthless move amid reports of the club's interest in Brentford boss Thomas Frank, Fulham manager Marco Silva and Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner. As his team slumped towards a woeful 22 defeats from 38 league games this term, Postecoglou clashed with Tottenham fans, who criticised his overly-attacking tactics. The Europa League triumph softened the relationship and he was serenaded on multiple occasions at the trophy parade, with players backing him to stay after a 4-1 home defeat against Brighton in what proved to be his last match. Postecoglou, who delivered on his bold boast that he always wins a trophy in his second year, had jokingly told fans at the parade that the third season is always better than the second in television programmes, a reference to his desire to stay in charge. He won't get that opportunity, but he believes his successor will benefit from his work in north London. 'We have laid foundations that mean this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success. I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them,' he said. 'I sincerely want to thank those who are the lifeblood of the club, the supporters. I know there were some difficult times but I always felt that they wanted me to succeed and that gave me all the motivation I needed to push on. 'I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years. A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special. We are forever connected.' AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
