Former AC Milan striker Marco Simone has slammed the sacking of Zvonimir Boban.

Boban was axed last month after criticising Milan chief Ivan Gazidis for moving for former Hoffenheim coach Ralf Rangnick without informing him and fellow director Paolo Maldini.

“An immense loss. It was too superficial and trivial to fire him because of a controversial interview. I think they used it as a pretext, it was something they had already planned," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “When you choose Boban and Maldini, you know at the start what weight they bring.

“And they know how Milan are managed. Those who chose them had to continue with them, together.

“They were the first two important pieces to start again. Just as on the pitch, it was necessary to start with [Gennaro] Gattuso. When I heard him speak; I could hear Milan. And in environments like the Rossoneri, certain things must be 'heard'."