Ralf Rangnick said it would have made "little sense" to keep star AC Milan veteran Zlatan Ibrahimovic had he replaced Stefano Pioli as head coach.
Rangnick was set to take over from Pioli until Milan opted against a change in the dugout amid the club's 13-match unbeaten streak to end the 2019-20 season.
Ibrahimovic was instrumental in rejuvenating a struggling AC Milan side following his January arrival, the 38-year-old finishing the campaign with 11 goals.
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The former Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain striker, who scored seven goals following the restart, is in talks to extend his stay by signing a one-year deal.