Giorgio Furlani, CEO of AC Milan, has disclosed that he received death threats from fans following the sale of midfielder Sandro Tonali to Newcastle United. The transfer, which reportedly brought in around €60 million for the Italian club, took place in the summer of 2023.

In a recent document published by Harvard Business School, Furlani reflected on the challenges of managing a high-profile football club. He emphasized the significant impact that media coverage and fan reactions can have on day-to-day operations.

“I was aware of the volatility in football, but I didn’t fully grasp how deeply the media and fan opinions could affect us,” Furlani stated. “It really hits hard on difficult days. And then there are the truly awful moments, like receiving death threats after we sold Tonali, one of our star players.”

The CEO added, “In those instances, I thought to myself: ‘This is definitely not something they teach at Harvard Business School.'”

Tonali, a lifelong AC Milan supporter, was a fan favorite before his departure to the English Premier League. His transfer sparked outrage among some of the club’s more passionate followers, leading to the extreme reactions Furlani described.

Despite the controversial nature of his exit, Tonali has since established himself at Newcastle United. After serving a suspension for illegal gambling practices, he returned to action this season and recently scored his first goals for the English club in an EFL Cup match against Brentford.

While some Italian media outlets have speculated about Tonali’s potential return to Serie A, his agent has dismissed these rumors. The midfielder is reportedly content playing in what his representative called “the best league in the world.”

Furlani’s revelations highlight the intense pressures faced by football executives when making high-stakes decisions, particularly those involving beloved players. The incident also underscores the passionate – and sometimes extreme – nature of fan engagement in modern football.