AC Milan made the bold call to change head coach after the final game of 2023, going from Paulo Fonseca to his compatriot Sergio Conceicao.
Fonseca was the man entrusted to take over from Stefano Pioli who spent nearly five years at the club. He was sacked after just 24 games across all competitions, with the Champions League places getting further away.
Conceicao arrived, won the Supercoppa Italiana in his second game in charge and was then backed with an ambitious winter transfer window. Five new signings arrived to try and propel the top four push, and instead the Rossoneri sit in ninth position.
The problem, as the numbers below demonstrate, is that there has been a decline across the board, at least in the league. Admittedly, Conceicao was averaging two points per game after the 1-0 win over Verona last month, but three consecutive 2-1 defeats have seen the season collapse.
Milan under Fonseca (Serie A):
➤ Games: 17
➤ Avg. points per game: 1.59
➤ Avg. goals scored: 1.5
➤ Avg. goals conceded: 1
Milan under Conceicao (Serie A):
➤ Games: 10
➤ Avg. points per game: 1.40
➤ Avg. goals scored: 1.3
➤ Avg. goals conceded: 1.3
In addition to the numbers, it seems that Conceicao’s hardline approach with the squad has created a more difficult and tense atmosphere. That being said, the general climate of protest around the club is not helping, and the feeling is that Milan are at risk of a continued vertical collapse.
Damning statistics. Particularly goals conceded. ConceiCiao just can’t keep a clean sheet. He destroyed the Gabbia-Thiaw partnership that was working DESPITE having Royal at RB. It’s crazy.
Mike, Gabbia, Pavlovic and Thiaw’s mistakes destroyed themselves.
You don’t concede those goals if they didn’t all have brainfarts. Gabbia at Zagreb, Thiaw’s Own Goal against Torino (twice in the same season), although second one was more Mike’s fault. And whatever the heck Pavlovic has been doing recently, trying to pass the ball into opponents to score on us.
Conceicao didn’t teach them to make those mistakes.
That’s AFTER they got pulled out of the starting 11 by Conceicao. Clearly the entire squad is suffering psychologically. I’m talking about their record BEFORE Conceicao. They have been making mistakes SINCE Conceicao’s arrival, not before. Regardless, the defense has been worse since Conceicao arrived. Statistics don’t lie bro.
Yep. Like I said, the team was better in every area under Fonseca. And this is not even taking into account Champions League where Fonseca had us playing quite well and over 90% chance of finishing in the top 8 until Conceicao came and crashed us out. Fonseca as a coach is miles better than Conceicao.
Management has made some bad decisions here but firing Fonseca for Conceicao has done more damage than any of them.
How many players that were playing well under Fonseca have totally regressed now. How much damage are we going to let this clown continue to do?
very well said.
Fonseca in clearly better, also in Champions League..
‘but Pioli can’t beat Inter’ they cried…
Definitely looked like we had more of a plan under Fonseca, but with a couple of issues especially around finishing and transitions. But the xG looked good for us, it was finishing really letting us down. The team was more compact and our defence had issues covering the extra ground but it was clear what we were trying to do.
At the moment, I’m really not sure of the plan. Are we setting up to counter? To dominate? Quick passing? Overload the left? I’m genuinely not sure.
Things have gotten worse with each change… question is, do you really expect the next one to be any different?
Problem with Fonseca was that Theo and Leao had problems with him.
Because of that management had to make a choice. They chose the players and let him go.
We probably would have qualified in the top 8 in the Champions League with Fonseca. Players like Thiaw, Gabbia, Fofana, Pulisic, Reijnders, and even Rafael Leão were all performing better under Fonseca than under Conceição.
The public fight with Calabria was unprofessional. Also, Conceição plays the victim in press conferences which is disgraceful. It seems like players such as Puli and Rafa are fed up with him. See what Rafa said to the press: “we played long balls which is not good football but that was what the mister asked for.”
I asked for Fonseca’s head. I wanted Conceição. I now realize that I was wrong.
Firing Conceição now will do nothing for this already lost season, but I think it should happen anyway, just to signal to the players that the club will not allow this coach to keep damaging them. Just get a caretaker. It can’t be any worse.
I know it won’t happen. The managers don’t like to acknowledge their mistakes so Conceição will finish the season.
Easy, just quit playing around. Ibra out, redbird out
I miss The Pioli times. We didn’t know what we would miss. But now we know. And I know I won’t miss this Milan under Conceicao. Just waiting for it to be over.