AC Milan chief Paolo Maldini has paid tribute to fellow director Ricky Massara.
The pair's work has seen them build a title winning team at Milan.
Maldini said, “The partnership is successful with Massara. Although we started as a trio, Leonardo was also there. When he left Milan I asked to work with (Zvonimir) Boban. I was looking for a sporting director and many people spoke very highly of Massara.
“We knew each other on the pitch, as a footballer at Pescara he scored goals. I had an interview with him for the role of sporting director and I liked him very much.
“He is a great worker and football connoisseur, now we are a de facto couple because we live symbiotically a good part of our week.
“(Simon) Kjaer, for example. He insisted a lot on taking him on loan from Atalanta because he knew him from his time at Palermo and Roma. He pushed hard to get him."