The Builder

How Igli Tare Sees the Game

Igli Tare was not the most technically gifted of players. Standing at 1.92 m, he excelled in aerial duels and was often used as a target man, someone who could hold up the ball, win headers, and bring others into play. His touch could be heavy at times, and he lacked pace, but he compensated with intelligent positioning, physical strength, and relentless work rate.

He wasn’t the kind of striker who would dazzle with flair or individual brilliance, but he understood those limitations and played to his strengths. Coaches appreciated his tactical discipline and willingness to do the unglamorous work up front, especially in systems that relied on a lone forward or direct play.

Born in Vlorë, Albania, in 1973, he began his professional career at Partizani Tirana before emigrating to Germany in the early 1990s. After stints in the lower leagues, including with VfR Mannheim and Fortuna Düsseldorf, Tare worked his way up to the Bundesliga with Karlsruher SC. His time in Germany established him as a reliable striker, particularly at Düsseldorf where he scored 24 goals in 63 appearances.

In 2001, he made the move to Serie A, signing with Brescia and later Bologna, sharing the dressing room with high-profile teammates and gained experience in one of Europe’s most tactical leagues.

In 2005, Tare joined Lazio, where even when not a regular starter, he was seen as a leader within the squad. Although not a prolific scorer during his time in Rome — netting five goals in 46 league appearances — he was appreciated also for his mental fortitude, a trait likely shaped by his early career challenges and his journey through multiple leagues.

Given his talents, there was little doubt that Tare would go on to enjoy a career in an administrative role within the game. Even so, his transition into the role of sporting director was unusually swift and seamless, largely due to the trust he earned at Lazio and his deep understanding of football dynamics from a player's perspective. Upon retiring from professional football in 2008 after three seasons at Lazio he was immediately brought into the club’s management structure, initially as coordinator of the technical area. By 2009, he was officially appointed sporting director, a move that surprised some but reflected the club's recognition of his leadership qualities, professionalism, and wide network across European football.

He would stay in that role for fifteen years; a duration that few have matched in world football. That he did so alongside an owner like Claudio Lotito who, famously, is not the most patient of men, makes it all the more impressive.

That word - impressive - can also be used to describe his work. Tare’s approach as a sporting director was shaped by his own career path: pragmatic, opportunistic, and focused on identifying undervalued or overlooked talent. He quickly built a reputation for his eye in the transfer market, often signing players on modest fees who later became key figures or were sold at significant profits—such as Sergej Milinković‑Savic, Ciro Immobile, and Luis Alberto.

His ability to navigate between football cultures, speak multiple languages, and earn the trust of both agents and players helped Lazio punch above its financial weight for over a decade. Beyond the players he brought in, Tare’s team building talent was also displayed in the managers he brought in where, tellingly, he went for more offensive minded ones as the overall quality of the squad improved.

That ability to shape a squad brought him to AC Milan's attention and they made a serious move for him in 2018. Back then Tare opted to stay at Lazio. "My childhood was shaped by Sacchi's Milan; it was hard to say no when I was approached by them," he later said.

He stayed in the capital city for a further five years until 2023, when Tare stepped away from Lazio. There was no one waiting in the wings; he simply needed some time away from the all consuming role and the pressures of running a side where expectations by far exceeded their financial power.

That break lasted for two years, which probably would have been longer had AC Milan not made another attempt. This time round, Tare didn't have any reason to refuse the offer. Although given the challenge he faces, perhaps he should have. The current Milan is nowhere near as good as that managed by Sacchi; it is a side lacking on all fronts: quality, direction, mentality, motivation and financial strength.

In other words, he has inherited a club in need of precisely the qualities that have defined his own path; pragmatism over hype, structure over chaos, and the quiet conviction that rebuilding is possible, even when the odds seem steep.

If his playing career was defined by doing the most with limited tools, his executive career has been about helping others realize their potential, often ahead of the market. Milan may be broken in parts, but Tare has never been drawn to perfect situations. His greatest strength lies in building quietly, patiently, and with purpose.

Which is why he might just be the perfect man for the job.

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