Stefano Pioli’s AC Milan is a constantly changing scenario that weekly seems to evolve. In the latest instalment of the merry-go-round, a report has claimed that discussions are underway for who will become the next AC Milan head coach.
Milan’s exit from the Coppa Italia on Wednesday night has again got people speaking about Pioli’s long-term future as the Rossoneri have entered unchartered waters.
For the first time under the 58-year-old’s leadership, there is no sign of the club left in the Champions League, no Coppa Italia semi-final and no direct fight for the Scudetto. This may of course change, but change is currently a miracle away.
As reported by Calciomercato.com, unless miracles occur, this should be Stefano Pioli’s final year in charge of the Diavolo.
Discussions have already begun between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gerry Cardinale about who should come into the role, with both stating that their next candidate must be ‘a leader, who knows how to build a winning project.’
The name that immediately comes to mind and fits these characteristics is Antonio Conte. Whilst there has been no concrete contact between the club and the 54-year-old, the Italian is supposedly waiting for Milan’s call, and he is the preferred choice for Milan fans, as reports suggest.
Additionally, the Diavolo are still considering the possibilities of Thiago Motta and Roberto De Zerbi. Motta’s contract with Bologna is set to expire in the summer, and he is an intriguing candidate and reportedly one of Ibrahimovic’s preferences.
Alternatively, there is De Zerbi. The Italian has gained many plaudits for his success with Brighton, but his reported €15m release clause represents a hurdle to overcome.
Must be great climate at Milanello, Ibra being all friendly with Pioli while suggesting new coaches.
It’s called Business. Club interests comes first pal
Really? Cause in my books that’s completely unprofessional way of doing business. And I have quite some experience in business. Pal.
What business you in? If you think talking about how effective employees are is unprofessional then you’ve never worked in management…
basically saying that the coach is fired while he still has half of the season left to coach completely undermines his authority with the players who now can tune him out because they know he’s not going to be back next season. It also makes for an awkward working environment where you are supposed to be collaborating with people who are publicly plotting your demise. It would be totally unprofessional in any business. I don’t think this is actually happening, it’s just tabloid nonsense pushed by Conte’s people to try and sway opinion.
I don’t know what you do for a living but if that’s the kind of management you lead or have, that’s one toxic workplace and I feel sorry for you.
He’s still our coach isn’t he? It’s unprofessional towards him and the team. This sort of things have moral impact on everyone and it shows in results.
There’s time and place for this sort of things to be discussed – management review and there’s where things and facts are put on table and discussed on top level. I would understand all this if they are looking to replace him now in January.
All this happening now will only have negative impact on the work of coach and moral of the team.
They probably should keep all of this inside Milanello, and if it’s not only media guessing, then they should keep it inside Milanello or it can affect the players. A bad working environment is the last thing they need.
I’m sure Pioli knows hours tune is coming to an end. Doubt he would be surprised Milan are looking at a new coach.
In fact, I would go so far as to say that Pioli was told in the summer that this would be hold final year here unless he wins something unattainable like CL.
To be fair to pioli I don’t think all the noise about the 343 is necessary; I mean the team almost always played a quasi 343 with theo pushing up and Saelermaekers helping calabria/kalulu.
I think theo should’ve start as Lwb (not cb) against atalanta.
The issue this time is the midfield reijnders is good, musah would likely improve, RLC is shit-mid player. Milan needs a Kessie type and Bonaventura type player with reijnders.
It is the midfield.
I would agree if it were true, but I seriously doubt that is happening. It would be entirely unprofessional. This is just garbage speculation. Clearly Conte has his friends in the media pushing all these bogus stories out there. Like the ridiculous one I just read on here that says “the fans have already spoken and they want Conte.” Then if you go to any of the comment sections, about 90% of the people don’t want Conte.
As told by Media using anonymous source. They don’t talk about it in public.
Still better than the all smiles and friendly from the owner and ceo to the past directors, celebrated the Ibra’s farewell, just to find out they’re being fired the next day.
Maldini wanted Pirlo to replace Pioli. That would have been a freaking disaster if that happened.
You Maldini fanboys need to get over it. Maldini is not bigger than Milan. He had disastrous mercato signing players like CDK, Origi, Dest, Vranckx and extending Pioli’s contract for 2yrs instead of 1yr.
Now we will have to payout Pioli’s contract final year thanks to Maldini.
He was given half the time and nearly no budget to operate. They weren’t signing off on extensions he negotiated either with our players. They decided to trust Beane and computers over one of the greatest football minds in history. They kept his hands tied. That isn’t on Maldini.
I don’t care to win trophies immediately but have to rebuild after two years because of a huge financial hole. I would rather see the sustainable project continue and a long-term winning team built. Thiago Motta is the right choice for that.
Conte is passion, grinta, anger, tactics, experience, flair
All things we lack but need. We dont need to control Conte, we need to unleash him!
I agree with you. The team looks like they are lacking that fire and determination. That winning mentality.
Pioli seems too soft. Like “it OK. We we have it a shot” after a loss. Whereas Conte would likely set everyone on fire. For that approach I commend Conte.
He isn’t my first choice, but I could get behind him.
Thiago Motta is the best we need him
I still think in those 4 years Pioli did a great job with Milan however he isn’t able to take us to another level he reached his peak. While I do believe a new coach is needed, pioli has all my respect and I hope Milan fans don’t forget all the good moments we had with him.
Agree with you 💯
Nice words there
This season has been tough for a lot of clubs, yet, they have kept their coaches – Man utd, Chelsea, Tottenham, Barcelona, Roma, Lazio, etc. Napoli brought in Mazzarri, but, still, results have not improved. I was shocked on Wednesday night, and, have felt bad with some results, but, I have seen this team play good football. Wednesday night showed why we cannot rely on so many youngsters in big games. Pioli and the players need such results to get their acts together. Most times, our players get carried away when they score early. They keep passing the ball around with any real purpose, and then, the likes of Leao start doing what they feel like on the pitch, with Pioli just watching on. Wednesday night was a wake up call. Pioli, for me, just needs someone peering down his shoulders to put him in check. Also, I hope our key players come back from injuries, and international duties, so that we can get the best from the team.
I think you are missing the point entirely. Read what Grande posted above, he is right on point, we need a new coach, we need Conte! BASTA
If you think any club need Conte, you don’t understand the game.
That statement does not make any sense
… lol
Dude, from all example you give no one in their 5 seasons, only Mou, Sarri, and maybe Xavi closer in their 3rd season, Chelsea and Spurs have new coach in summer, ten hag is still in his 2nd season
Just admit it that this is the best he can give to the club
I don’t know if Manchester is a good example. Also if anything, their problems have less to do with coach and more with administration and mentality. And if anything, it seems that Manchester United has accepted this role of being a mere contender for an European spot and not really a EPL caliber team.
Chelsea is a mess and has pretty much a new coach each season.
Tottenham, Lazio, Roma,… are clubs that win a title once in a while. As a club who wants to be a title contender every year, I don’t AC Milan should take notes from them.
For Barcelona, Xavi seems to be an icon, he is one of their former legends. Now FCB is doing badly in la Liga, but they secured the knockouts phase for the UCL (which they haven’t done in a while) a recently won la Liga. So I think they’ll give him a pass for a while.
Pioli is not a leader. During the previous years, it was more Zlatan and Maldini who were the forces behind the mental fortitude of this team. They can talk to players and make them focus on the task at hand. They are proven winners. Pioli is not. Yes he is the man who put the tactics, makes the subs,… but he is not this charismatic character who can motivate players when they’re distressed and frustrated.
And finally, about injuries, we always say when this or that player will come back things will change but the truth is, with this staff, another injury is pretty much always nearby.
Conte is poison
Pioli probably doesn’t mind as much, he will get paid for next year anyway whether he works for it or not since it’s in his contract which was agreed to by the 2 parties. In football contracts are as far as professionalism is respected. And he is very much at the end of his run for better or worse. And rumors and being on the knife’s edge comes with coaching top clubs, it’s part of the deal.
Not to mention Piolineeds a job after this. He’s not gonna sacrifice his future by throwing away half a season. Other teams are watching and waiting to pounce on Pioli when is a free agent.
For me conte is the one to go with, regardless all that has been said about his “negative history”
This team need a serious dog who barks and bites. Him becoming a cry baby is different thing, don’t mix it up.
You ask for constant participation in the champions league, dreaming of winning it every year, but how without being a beast in domestic first?
Conte is the one to go. He knows how to deal with this so called star players in our team.
Stop thinking young player young team needs young coach. In reverse, young coach (inexperienced coach) needs young mid table team to grow.
Bologna is not milan, bologna doesn’t need to win anything. Just by being in top 5 then they can start the business… Like us who want zirkzee and motta.
Wake up and eat that reality.
Remember what kind of player we have in the team when allegri (a surprising choice) won the league.
Remember how many times we failed to repeat that formula. How years are wasted.
Brocchi, seedorf, inzaghi, sinisa, giampaolo.
Pioli did eliminate Conte with a less valuable team as per Transfermkt. I am not sold on either btw.