AC Milan’s Approach to Talent Acquisition: Insights from Technical Director

In a recent 24-page document published by Harvard Business School analyzing AC Milan’s project under Gerry Cardinale’s ownership, Technical Director Geoffrey Moncada provided valuable insights into the club’s recruitment strategy and operations.

Moncada explained his role as the link between the coaching staff, players, and the commercial side of the club. He emphasized the importance of information sharing and daily communication with the management. The club employs a team of ten scouts, evenly split between Italy and abroad, supported by data scientists to identify potential signings.

Highlighting Milan’s recruitment philosophy, Moncada stated, “We’re taking calculated risks with young players rather than acquiring big names with high salaries. This approach may not yield immediate success, but it builds for the long term.” He cited the example of Tijjani Reijnders, a relatively unknown player from the Dutch league who has since become a key figure for both Milan and the Dutch national team.

Moncada also revealed past attempts to sign high-profile young talents: “We tried to recruit the then 17-year-old Vinicius Jr. and 20-year-old Jude Bellingham, but we couldn’t compete with Real Madrid. We have to accept that.” Despite these setbacks, he sees it as a personal challenge to identify undervalued players and develop them to their full potential.

This strategy aligns with Milan’s focus on sustainable growth and long-term success, balancing financial prudence with ambitious talent acquisition.