Paulo Fonseca has been chosen as the next AC Milan manager, following the departure of Stefano Pioli, and the matter should be announced at the start of June. In the meantime, the Portuguese manager is already thinking about ‘his Milan’.
Pioli said goodbye to the fans during an emotional Saturday evening at San Siro, receiving the love of the Milan faithful during the post-game ceremony. He didn’t get the final result he wanted, drawing 3-3 against Salernitana, but at least they didn’t lose.
Today’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport (see photo below) has outlined the upcoming weeks for Milan, with Fonseca expected to be announced after the Roma friendly.
Fonseca awaits official statement
Fonseca is yet to be appointed by Milan, officially anyway, but he has still received a lot of criticism. Pioli went through the same experience when he joined in 2019 and now the Portuguese manager will have to stand tall in the adversity.
The 51-year-old is currently in Portugal, having finished the season with Lille last weekend, and he’s now just waiting on the official statement from Milan. Everything has been negotiated between the parties, so the Rossoneri just need to pull the official trigger.
The announcement is not expected to take place next week but rather at the beginning of June. The friendly against Roma in Australia is scheduled for midday Friday and once Milan have returned to Italy, there will be full focus on the future. A
A contract has been drafted for Fonseca. Two years with the option of a third or a pure three-year contract. Regardless of what it ends up being, the Portuguese manager is the chosen one.
Fans are annoyed
The reaction of the Milan fans has been far from optimal, as Fonseca has the reputation of a good manager with an attacking style, but not a winner. A majority of the fans were hoping for a big name to take over from Pioli, with a good foundation in place to make the big leap.
The club directors, however, have taken a different route and want to focus on a coach who can work with a young team. Fonseca has received a lot of criticism from the fans on his Instagram account, but just like what happened with Pioli he will have to ignore these.
Mercato pursuits begin
The official statement should arrive at the start of June, as stated, but Fonseca will only be able to arrive in July due to tax reasons. After taking a short vacation, therefore, he will work the first weeks remotely along with the management to decide on the mercato.
The manager must find a new No.9 along with the club, choose a full-back and perhaps a midfielder who can give his Milan a new dimension. In short, the work for the future will begin shortly and the Fonseca announcement is only a matter of time.
