AC Milan chief exec Ivan Gazidis admits he and football director Paolo Maldini don't always agree.

Maldini's star is on the rise after the success of his signings this season. But he and Gazidis haven't always seen eye-to-eye over his additions - including Maldini's deal for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Gazidis told Sky Italia: "At the beginning we had different languages and cultures. But now we are growing together. Now our relationship is strong. We are growing, now the unity can be seen in the team and in the club, but it is important not to always agree.

"For me he represents the club, Maldini is Milan, history. Everyone knows it. But this is not the reason why I chose Paolo: I chose him because I see something special, I see a modern man, with humility, with desire to learn, I see a man who thinks about the team.

"For this club I hope that Paolo will be with us in the long term, I don't see a limit. He is truly a special person, from Milan."