The chances of Stefano Pioli remaining as the head coach of AC Milan into next season are increasing, but there is a game coming up that will likely have a major bearing.
Despite the ups and downs, Milan are now on five consecutive wins and have reclaimed second place in the table having surpassed Juventus. The Rossoneri have also reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League, where they will meet Roma.
Of course, like many things in football, answering the question of how Milan’s 2023-24 season has gone so far depends on perspective and whether the person in question chooses to take an optimistic, realistic or pessimistic outlook.
However, one thing that is undeniable is that Pioli’s position as head coach has become the subject of a lot of speculation and scrutiny in the media, with some sources suggesting that there will be a change before next season.
Journalist Andrea Longoni has written a column for MilanNews in which he talks about the situation regarding Pioli’s future, confirming that there is very much a chance that he could stay into the final year of his contract.
“The odds of a possible stay for Pioli are growing: Milan’s positive period has also given a hand to the coach who is playing a game within a game, namely that of remaining on the bench also in the 2024-25 season,” he said.
“The next two months, obviously, will be decisive, with two variables in particular: the derby and the Europa League. After too long a series of losing derbies, as many as five and often losing badly, the coach is asked to reverse the trend.
“It’s a single match, but it can be very significant, almost like the European route. Even in terms of image, another defeat against Inter would make the manager’s confirmation unthinkable.
“Obviously it is also wrong to reduce everything or almost everything to a single game, in this regard it would be necessary to rewind the tape and start again from August: because it seems that many, in the wake of the excellent moment, have cancelled the various negative factors.
“The issue of injuries must be remembered: an enormity, something unacceptable and which does not concern another season but the current one. In addition to the derby theme, the five defeats in the league must be remembered (the last being the resounding one in Monza), with 33 goals conceded and two comebacks suffered from 2-0.
“The elimination in the Coppa Italia and not even the Champions League should not be deleted from the dossier: even in the top European competition, Milan could have done more. In short, the reflection must be global and complete and not based only on the last period.”
