The club in a statement said that Maldini concluded his role at the club as at June 5.

It said that the 54-year-old returned to the club nine years after his retirement from soccer and was promoted to the Rossoneri’s technical director role in 2019, less than a year after he became the director of sporting strategy and development.

“AC Milan announce that Paolo Maldini concludes his role at the club, effective as of June 5, 2023.

“We thank him for his years of service in the role, contributing to the return to the Champions League and to winning the Scudetto in 2021/22,” a club statement said.

The ex-Italy defender spent his 25-year playing career with Milan and was captain in their most successful era, winning five Champions Leagues, seven Serie A titles, four European Super Cups and a Club World Cup, before hanging up his boots at 41.

Maldini’s stint as technical director saw Milan win the 2021-22 Serie A title, their first in over a decade, with players such as Rafael Leao, Theo Hernandez, Oliver Giroud, and Fikayo Tomori having joined the club.

According to Italian media, Maldini’s exit is said to have shocked Milan’s players.

“His day-to-day duties will be performed by a team working in close integration with the first team manager, ultimately reporting to the CEO,” the statement added.

Milan finished fourth in last season’s league standings and reached the Champions League semi-finals, where they lost 3-0 on aggregate to Inter Milan.