In Milan, the development side of the Italian club is trying to prepare its young footballers for more than the next match. Milan Futuro has set out a programme that puts responsibility in the hands of the players, combining board games, reading and space for personal independence.
The idea is not limited to training-ground routine. Before each commitment, the squad’s younger members are encouraged to take part in deciding how they will approach it, giving them a voice in the preparation rather than asking them simply to follow instructions.
Learning beyond the pitch
Sergio Navarro, the Milan Futuro coach, is overseeing a model intended to develop decision-making as well as football ability. Board games and reading form part of the plan, alongside an emphasis on autonomy in daily work and match preparation.
For a team built around players taking their early steps in the senior game, the approach reflects a broader ambition: to produce footballers able to assess a situation, make choices and carry responsibility when the occasion arrives. In a city where the first team’s demands are never far away, Milan Futuro’s classroom extends beyond the dressing room and onto the route towards competitive football.
