Sergio Conceicao has been named as the new head coach of AC Milan, but a report has claimed that he was not the only one contacted about the job.
Alfredo Pedulla talks about a ‘sensational behind the scenes’ that occurred last Friday. The journalist states there was a direct discussion between Milan and those who look after the interests of Maurizio Sarri, who was the main choice to take over despite any denials that came out.
Milan decided to offer the job to Sarri for the same six-month deal as they did to Conceicao plus an option in favour of the club, or an 18-month deal with an exit clause in Milan’s favour during the summer.
Out of principle and respect for his work, Sarri declined, knowing that if he said no then Conceicao would accept. Sarri had asked for 18 months but without any get-out clauses plus an option to renew for another season in case of Champions League qualification.
Milan did not want to commit and after Sarri’s refusal they went for Conceicao, eventually hiring him on a deal until 2026. It is possible that the management believed an Italian manager was the ‘safer’ bet, but Conceicao’s CV certainly comes with assurances too.
“Conceicao’s CV certainly comes with assurances”
He did well at Porto, but the rest of his career leaves much to desire. In addition to that, he has no experience in the Serie A. He might do well eventually at Milan too, time will tell, but he is not exactly the kind of coach I would get in the middle of the season.
Sarri’s Lazio? he never played well in UCL unlike Sergio and he is horrible with the youth…
The UCL does not matter at this point, because Milan are not going to win it anyway. The main goal obviously is to get a UCL spot for next season, and a coach with lots of experience in the Serie A would be a much safer bet for that. Also, there are other Serie A-proven coaches apart from Sarri, if the latter is not to your liking.
I wouldn’t get Sarri either
Best news of the day.
Again the club go with their 2nd choice bc their first choice wouldn’t accept their low ball offer. And to think they could have had sarri from the start of the season or even this new guy and instead we’re here. At least one member of the management needs to go.
I dotn buy this.. i think its sarry hyping himself or some italian nativist reporter throwing shade to the deal
It’s not a must to comment
Sarri doesn’t tick the box for me
The problem is not the coach. This board doesn’t tick any boxes of football at all
If it’s in the summer, personally I’d prefer Sarri. Understandable if he said no, as his gameplay is quite particular and needs nothing but time. In the mid of the season like this, Conceicao is a better option. Looks like he’s someone who can adapt with what he has in hands. And for mentality reason as well.
Sarri ball takes a LOOOOONG time to get right. He definitely needs a whole preseason and more.
But I’d also say he’s smart to not take that crap deal. 6 months and they can terminate? I have no clue what Sergio is thinking though. Maybe he feels like a knight in shining armor. Let’s hope he does well so we don’t chop and change so often
The only reason we did not get Lopetegui was because he refused to sign a contract that had the clause that Fonseca’s had, which was that the club would only have to pay for 1 year’s salary if the coach was fired within 6 months. What top coach (and I’m not referring to Sarri, but the future) would agree to come to a club that: A. Won’t pay him a good salary; B. Won’t trust him and commit to a long term project by inserting an early termination clause? Our directos would rather pay themselves…
This is not true. The management team decided to cancel the Lopetegui operation due to a massive uproar from the fans.
Are there still a legion of trolls on this site carrying water for RedBird/Elliot? The saddest part about the current state of the club is just how little the European football media has covered the scam being perpetrated by the American owners in Milan. Which is exactly as Elliot had envisioned it all those years ago. They already had their tentacles all over European media from their days ripping governments off world wide. This is why the only reporting on Milan is Pulisic and whenever they do something decent(win @ Madrid)? Otherwise you won’t hear a peep from the football media about what is really happening here.
While I’m cruising what Sarri’s Milan would look like, his system takes a while to digest and implement. Milan doesn’t have that time.
Also, Sarri is a classy cat (that looks like a villager) and wouldn’t accept a rescue mission under these terms.
Only Italian coaches worthy of Milan are Carlo if he wants to come back, Spaletti or Gasperini. Conceicao is a wise choice. He should of been signed last summer instead of Fonseca which places unfair pressure and expectations on him.
not many coaches willing to work for 6 months job trial, and then get renewal for 1 year.
He is smart not accepting that offer. That clause only make management want good result without taking risk. If they still use that stupid clause, no top coach want to come to ACM anymore