According to reports, AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale thought of appointing world No. 1 Novak Djokovic as the team’s mental coach, which would have involved the player giving inspirational talks to the Milan players.
One of the most successful football teams in Italy, Milan also has one of the longest histories in all of European sport. Milan won its 19th championship in 2022, although they were unable to repeat after placing fourth in Serie A the previous year. Milan is now in third place with 49 points after 23 games this season, eight points behind Inter in first place.
Being a devoted football fan, Djokovic has never disguised his affection for his beloved Milan. He is a record 24-time Grand Slam winner. Owner of the team Cardinale began planning how to approach Djokovic and make his offer after Milan’s 2023–24 campaign didn’t get off to the best possible start. Cardinale believed that this move would help his squad become more mentally stronger.
That was all going on three months prior, but the Milan owner, according to La Repubblica, chose not to pursue it, and the parties never discussed the prospect of working together in that capacity.
Djokovic on his love for Milan
Over the years, Djokovic has publicly expressed his affection for Milan on multiple occasions.
“I will always be a huge Milan fan. Football is my second favorite sport, behind tennis. Since my father played professional football, we were always very interested in watching the Rossoneri games at home.” In 2014, Djokovic remarked.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic rejoined Milan in 2020, where he remained until his retirement in 2023. Djokovic has always had a cordial connection with Ibrahimovic, and the Serbian tennis player was overjoyed when the former Swedish football player chose to come back to Milan.
“With Zlatan Ibrahimovic, I am pals. We discussed my circumstances in Australia frequently. I genuinely appreciate that he publically supported me as well. In 2022, Djokovic remarked, “I’m a Milan fan, and we hope to win the Scudetto this year.”
