AC Milan will face a familiar opponent in Antonio Conte during tonight’s game at the Maradona, and he has been linked with the job for next season.
As Calciomercato.com write, tonight will be act two of Conte versus Milan with Napoli. In the first clash of the season, on October 29th at San Siro, the Azzurri prevailed with goals from Lukaku in the 5th minute and Kvaratskhelia in the 43rd minute.
It was the turning point for both teams: the Neapolitans became convinced that it could have a say in the race for the Scudetto, while Milan left the scene. It was the first real breakdown of a season that saw the Rossoneri change coach (from Fonseca to Conceiçao) and objectives.
It was also a match that reignited the debate among Rossoneri fans: why isn’t Conte coaching Milan yet? Among pundits, insiders, former players of a Milan that no longer exists, the widespread opinion was the same: Conte would have been the best choice to start a new winning era.
A year ago at this time, the Salento coach was free but was never contacted directly by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Geoffrey Moncada and Giorgio Furlani for a meeting. Not even a phone call. The idea, clearly, had been examined internally but not explored in depth.
The working group preferred to opt for a coach with lower economic demands and with a different willingness to work in a group. The choice fell on Paulo Fonseca, even if from the first days it was clear that he was anything but convinced.
About ten months later we are back to square one: the name of Conte resonates forcefully in the Milan orbit. The Rossoneri will change management at the end of the season and, barring any surprises, Fabio Paratici will choose the new coach.
The relationship between the Emilian manager and Antonio Conte is one of great mutual respect, so much so that the candidacy seems obvious. It remains to be seen what Aurelio De Laurentiis will do to retain his leader, with a contract expiring in June 2027 and a salary of €8m net plus bonuses.
The sheer disrespect of Italian media to keep “disturbing” an under contract coach who’s still in the running for Scudetto by keep linking him to other clubs. Working ever so hard so that Inter could win the title, eh. Leave him alone. If we become interested (again) in him and the feeling is mutual, it would happen, with or without the rumours, but only after the conclusion of this season.
There’s a time and place for all these news, and that’s during silly seasons, not when every teams are fighting tooth and nails at the final home stretch.
We need trophy. That’s all. No matter what the coach is the “old style”, non-pep-like” or whatever. If we stay like this, no great player will join and we will have to use a youngster without experience and champion passion. That would be a big disaster. The Conte news happen during season – not in my head and interested matter.