AC Milan are patiently awaiting news regarding Sergio Conceicao’s future at Porto, which should reportedly become more clear in the next 48 hours.
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According to what is being reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below), the meeting between Conceiçao and the new president André Villas-Boas should happen today or tomorrow at the latest.
Milan are watching with interest: if everything goes as expected, in the next few days the current Porto coach will become a free from contractual constraints and ready to take on a new challenge with the Rossoneri.
The agenda
Yesterday, at lunchtime, Villas-Boas took office as president of Porto. All the coaches and team captains were at the Dragao but Conceiçao and Pepe were missing.
This is perhaps now a huge shock, given that the team were training during the day as Villas-Boas himself explained, before he went on to speak about a ‘new era’ and a ‘change of direction’ for the club.
“I plan to go to the training complex on Wednesday or Thursday. I will meet the coach and the team,” he said. Therefore, the next 48 hours will be key and what seems most likely at present is that Conceiçao and Villas-Boas will meet and part ways.
Despite the renewal signed by Conceiçao shortly before the elections – when the old president Pinto da Costa was still in office – the deadline on the contract of the former Lazio, Parma and Inter man says 2028, but he can free himself unilaterally.
Jorge Mendes – the super agent who represents him and who together with Milan worked on the renewal of Rafa Leao a year ago – is pushing for him to join the Rossoneri.
Climbing the list
In the race to replace Stefano Pioli, Conceiçao quickly climbed positions above the other names in the running for at least a couple of reasons.
Firstly, he has a very respectable CV, full of trophies won – 10 in 7 seasons at Porto, including three league titles – and high-level experience in the Champions League.
Secondly, Conceiçao has the right personality to withstand the pressure of the environment, the right attitude to manage the dressing room and a certain tactical flexibility, because he uses a 4-2-3-1 that the squad know well but also has other systems.
Thirdly, there is the cost aspect: hiring Conceiçao would not cost as much as Antonio Conte or other huge names because he would sign the same contract – worth €4m net per season – that was initially tabled to Julen Lopetegui.
