Andrea Longoni believes that Stefano Pioli’s fate is now sealed and that AC Milan will change coaches in the summer, and he joined the crowd of people who want Antonio Conte to arrive.
As we enter the business end of the season, there is no doubting that Pioli is under pressure to keep winning games, not only so Milan have a chance to finish second and go deep in the Europa League, but because it seems his future is on the line.
The pressure dial was cranked up a bit earlier in the week when owner Gerry Cardinale admitted he is not satisfied with not being top in Serie A, pointing at the number of injuries as being a real problem.
However, Pioli’s side gave a response given the victory at the Olimpico against Lazio. It was difficult victory which however confirmed once again that the team are at the side of their coach.
Longoni spoke during his weekly column on MilanNews and dedicated a large part of it to the future of Pioli and the head coach position at Milan.
“Cardinale in London effectively announced a revolution in view of next season, a revolution that will be led by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. We’ll see if Furlani, in addition to having been officially downsized, will also see his adventure as Milan manager come to an end,” he began.
“However, there are no longer any doubts about Pioli’s fate: he will pay for the results and record numbers in terms of injuries. Finding ourselves 13 points behind Inter today, with one game more played, is simply unacceptable.
“It must be said that Maldini had taken a long view on many things, including the need to invest because the gap with Inter was evident.
“While waiting to understand the developments on the corporate issue and the possible entry of Arab capital, there are beautiful promises from Cardinale about the desire to win, but in fact, to date, only words.
“The hope for those who have Milan in their hearts is called Ibra: today the fans must cling to him. Because his desire to excel is demonstrated by the facts in his past as a footballer and now he will try to apply it in his new career as a manager.
“For this reason, for the power that has been given to him, I refuse to believe that he can hand over the bench to coaches like Lopetegui or Gallardo.
“For this reason, it is reasonable to hope that the definitive choice may fall on Antonio Conte. In this regard, I want to propose a little game, born in the Go Milan Go WhatsApp chat:
“Milan-Udinese 0-1, Lecce-Milan 2-2, Atalanta-Milan 3-2, Salernitana-Milan 2-2, Milan-Bologna 2-2, Monza-Milan 4-2, Milan-Atalanta 1-1. Here, now try to imagine the same games with Conte on the bench, change the results and count the extra points.
“I can easily see at least 13 more (obviously there is no counter-proof): with these Milan would be fully in the Scudetto race today, despite not having Inter’s squad.
“The coach from Lecce is the best available among those available: it would be a great sign of ambition on Cardinale’s part. Everything else is boring.”
