ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has unleashed an astonishing rant after being asked about Ralf Rangnick taking over AC Milan.
The Swedish icon, 38, signed for the Rossoneri in January on a six-month deal, but his second spell could already be coming to a swift end.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic could reportedly leave AC Milan in the summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Rangnick, who currently serves as head of sport and development at Red Bull, has been heavily linked with the top job at Milan at the end of this term.
But in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport magazine Sportweek, Ibrahimovic brutally dismissed talk of Rangnick taking charge of the Serie A side, by savagely claiming: “Who is Rangnick?
“I don’t even know who he is”.
Ibrahimovic also admitted it’s “unlikely” that he will stay the San Siro next season unless there is a major revamp at the Italian outfit.
He continued: “Ibra plays to win something or he stays at home.
“They told me that retiring in America was too easy, so I came back to Milan. I am here purely for passion, because I’m basically playing for free.
“Then this Covid situation stopped everything and I thought, maybe there’s something trying to tell me that I should retire.
“Fortunately, we got back on the pitch. My calf managed to get involved too, but after two days I was ready to come back into the team.
“Ibra is like that. But they told me to take it slow.
“Ibra was born to play football and is still the best at playing football. We’ll see how I feel in two months.
“We’ll also see what’s happening with the club. If this is the situation, to be honest, it’s unlikely you’ll see me at Milan next season.
“Ibra is not a player for the Europa League and Milan are not a club who belong in the Europa League.”
Ibrahimovic reportedly had a spat with Ivan Gazidis when the club chief attended training to inform players of pay cuts.
The striker was said to be angry at the timing of his visit with the team due to face off with Juventus in the Coppa Italia semi-final two days later.
The Swedish ace added: “I spoke for me and for the team. I needed to have some explanations on the future, both mine and of Milan.
“I said that this is not the Grande Milan I once experienced, that is true, but we must do the best we can even in this situation. All the way to the end.
“Ibra is here, Ibra takes care of it. I have to be here or you’ll lose the fans. I don’t know if there will be another club after Milan, I never like to close doors to opportunities.
“I will only go somewhere I have some control, not where words are worth nothing. I still have too much passion for what I do.”
Milan have the option to extend Ibrahimovic’s deal by another 12 months, but there have been claims that the player could retire from football and become an agent alongside Mino Raiola.
The striker – who has netted six goals in 16 games since rejoining the club – decided on Italy after almost joining Leeds in the winter transfer window.
The Swedish legend even sparked AC Milan’s remarkable 4-2 comeback over leaders Juve with a second-half spot-kick.
And he couldn’t resist laughing at Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring from the spot after the Bianconeri hero had tried to put him off.
Watch Zlatan Ibrahimovic turn and laugh at Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring penalty that sparked amazing comeback vs Juventus
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
