‘Clear differences’ – Journalist claims Milan chose Fonseca to ‘break away’ from Pioli era

Paulo Fonseca might have arrived amid scepticism from some AC Milan fans, but he is working hard to show that he was the right man for the job.

The management clearly believed that Fonseca met a series of requirements indicated by the board more so that other candidates, requirements which instantly repelled them from candidates that fans called for such as Antonio Conte.

Fonseca has experience – both in Italy and abroad – his style is of an attacking vocation, he is used to working with young players and he is also accepting of the way that the management want to operate, which is in a collegial style with shared decision making.

Despite the reports suggesting that Milan hired Fonseca as a continuation of the work that Stefano Pioli did in his nearly five years in charge, Luca Bianchin of La Gazzetta dello Sport provided a different spin on things in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Milan’s was a choice of breaking away, there are clear differences between Pioli and Fonseca. I spoke with his former players in Portugal and they say that the first two months are a great laboratory with him,” he said.

“There is a certain concern at the beginning because the work is not seen on the field, then the players understand and everything improves.

“The possession phase is trained differently, he calls the press and then goes out with the possession and the two midfielders are more static. The athletic preparation is different, it is said that the work has been very intense in these weeks.”