Since Paolo Maldini retired in 2009, AC Milan has seen a troubling pattern emerge; captains who inherit the armband often experience a decline in form, struggle with injuries, or face unceremonious departures. This recurring misfortune has led fans to speculate that there may be a “curse” on the Milan captaincy. Below, we examine each captain’s fate since Maldini’s departure.

1. Massimo Ambrosini (2009–2013) – Injuries and Unceremonious Exit

A loyal servant of Milan, Ambrosini took over the captaincy following Maldini’s retirement. However, his tenure was marred by frequent injuries and a gradual decline in influence. By 2013, Milan opted not to renew his contract, effectively pushing him out of the club. He played one final season with Fiorentina before retiring.

2. Riccardo Montolivo (2013–2017) – Plagued by Injuries

Montolivo was expected to lead Milan into a new era, but his captaincy was riddled with misfortune. A severe ACL injury in 2016 kept him sidelined for months, and he never regained his previous form. By the time his contract expired in 2019, he had been completely frozen out of the squad, and he retired soon after.

3. Leonardo Bonucci (2017–2018) – A Short-Lived and Controversial Spell

Bonucci’s arrival from Juventus in 2017 was meant to symbolize Milan’s resurgence, and he was given the armband immediately. However, his performances dipped, and he struggled to integrate into the team. After just one disappointing season, he pushed for a return to Juventus, leaving Milan in what felt like an embarrassing failed experiment.

4. Alessio Romagnoli (2018–2022) – Benched and Forgotten

A promising young defender, Romagnoli initially looked like a worthy captain. However, injuries and inconsistent performances saw him lose his place to the emerging duo of Fikayo Tomori and Pierre Kalulu. By 2022, he was no longer a regular starter, and Milan allowed him to leave on a free transfer to Lazio.

5. Davide Calabria (2022–January 2025) – Stripped of Captaincy

Calabria, a homegrown talent, wore the armband with pride, but his tenure was turbulent. He struggled to maintain consistent performances, and following internal conflicts, Milan decided to strip him of the captaincy in January 2025. Just a month later, he left the club, ending an 18-year association with Milan in a rather bitter manner.

6. Theo Hernández (Occasional Captain) – A Symbolic Leader with Inconsistencies

Hernández has occasionally worn the captain’s armband, and while he remains a fan favorite, his tenure has had its share of struggles. On his 27th birthday in October 2024, he endured a nightmare match; conceding a penalty, missing a penalty, and receiving a red card, all in one game. While he remains a crucial player, moments like these raise questions about the Milan captaincy’s influence.

7. Mike Maignan (January 2025–Present) – Struggling Under Pressure

Following Calabria’s exit, Maignan was appointed captain in January 2025. However, since taking on the role, his performances have taken a hit. Milan has conceded in nearly every match, including a devastating 2-1 loss to Torino and a 1-1 draw against Feyenoord that saw them eliminated from the Champions League. Once considered one of the world’s best goalkeepers, Maignan now faces growing scrutiny.

The Curse of the Milan Captaincy – Coincidence or Reality?

The pattern is undeniable; since Maldini, nearly every Milan captain has seen their career take a downturn. Injuries, loss of form, and abrupt exits have plagued those who wear the armband. Whether a genuine curse or just a run of bad luck, the question remains: will Maignan break the cycle, or will the curse claim yet another victim?

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been handed a two-game touchline ban following his red card during the dramatic 2-2 draw against Everton at Goodison Park on 12 February. Slot was dismissed for approaching referee Michael Oliver on the pitch after the match, in protest over James Tarkowski’s 98th-minute equaliser, which Liverpool believed should have been disallowed for a foul.

As a result, Slot will be absent from the touchline for Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League fixtures against Newcastle on 21 February and Southampton on 8 March. However, he will be allowed to manage from the sidelines during the Champions League last-16 first-leg clash with Paris Saint-Germain on 5 March.

In addition to the ban, an independent Football Association commission fined Slot £70,000. Liverpool assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff, who was also sent off in the same incident, received a two-game suspension and a £7,000 fine. Meanwhile, both clubs were penalized for failing to control their players, with Liverpool fined £65,000 and Everton £50,000.

The heated Merseyside derby saw late chaos erupt when Tarkowski’s goal was awarded after a VAR check, prompting Everton fans to invade the pitch in celebration. Slot confronted one of the assistant referees before shaking hands with Oliver, who then immediately showed him a red card. Post-match, Slot criticized the officiating, particularly regarding the added stoppage time, stating, “Emotions got the better of me.”

Following the final whistle, Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure and Liverpool’s Curtis Jones received second yellow cards, resulting in one-game bans for both.

Slot, who previously served a touchline ban in December for accumulating three yellow cards, will return to domestic duty in the dugout for the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle on 16 March. Liverpool, currently 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League, will face Everton again at Anfield on 2 April.

Warren Gatland is set to leave his role as Wales head coach after a record-breaking 14 consecutive Test match defeats, bringing an early end to his second tenure in charge.

Although the 61-year-old was contracted until the 2027 Rugby World Cup, he was already expected to step down after the Six Nations. Now, his departure will come midway through the tournament, with Wales still set to face Ireland on 22 February in Cardiff, Scotland on 8 March, and England on 15 March.

Possible successors include former Australia coach Michael Cheika, Glasgow’s Franco Smith, and Ireland interim boss Simon Easterby.

Gatland, who enjoyed a highly successful 12-year first stint with Wales—winning three Grand Slams and leading the team to two World Cup semi-finals—returned in December 2022 to replace Wayne Pivac. However, his second tenure has been marred by poor performances, with Wales suffering their worst losing streak in 144 years of international rugby. The 22-15 loss to Italy last weekend cemented their decline, dropping them to 12th in the world rankings.

In total, Gatland has overseen 151 Tests across both spells, with 76 wins, 73 losses, and two draws. His recent record stands at just six victories in 26 matches, a win ratio of only 23%.