Boban defends Maldini against 'betrayal' claims, praises Guardiola

Zvonimir Boban insists Pep Guardiola has ‘enormous respect’ for Paolo Maldini, who ‘didn’t betray agreements’ with the FIGC: ‘A director makes choices and takes responsibility for them.’

READ MORE: Boban: Milan progressed in just one aspect, Arsenal ‘fourth’ Champions League favourite Former Milan star Boban spoke about Maldini’s brief spell as Italy’s technical director, which barely lasted two weeks earlier this summer.

ZAGREB, CROATIA – OCTOBER 25: Former footballer Zvonimir Boban looks on prior to kick off of the UEFA Champions League group E match between Dinamo Zagreb and AC Milan at Stadion Maksimir on October 25, 2022 in Zagreb, Croatia. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images) Maldini was hired alongside his advisor Leonardo and initially identified Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola as their primary targets for the Azzurri bench.

A lot of emphasis was put on the fact that Maldini and Leonardo would have chosen the new Italy coach.

The trip to Barcelona to convince Guardiola was not successful, but Boban is not surprised.

“The fact that he [Guardiola] didn’t feel up to it is crucial,” he told Gazzetta.

“It would probably be frustrating for him not to work on the pitch every day. I know Guardiola has enormous respect for Maldini, but he understood it wasn’t the right time. We should all thank him; throughout his coaching career, he has given so much to football.”

EMPOLI, ITALY – OCTOBER 01: Paolo Maldini of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between Empoli FC and AC MIlan at Stadio Carlo Castellani on October 1, 2022 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) Maldini’s alternative, Andrea Pirlo, had agreed terms, but his appointment was blocked by a political scandal concerning his role as a brand ambassador for a Russian betting company.

Maldini felt his decision-making autonomy had been undermined, with Pirlo’s scandal blown out of proportion to have an excuse to appoint someone else. Therefore, Boban doesn’t see much responsibility on Maldini for how things went.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – APRIL 23: Head Coach Andrea Pirlo of Fatih Karagumruk looks on during the Super Lig match between Galatasaray and Fatih Karagumruk SK at NEF Stadyumu on April 23, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images) “It depends on what the agreements were and who betrayed them. Certainly not Paolo…,” he said.

“As a coach, Pirlo hasn’t had much success, but he knows what the national team means. He’s not stupid, and players see a footballing genius in him, which hasn’t been understood. A director makes choices and takes responsibility for them.”