AC Milan will not play any European football next season, and now the time has come for some big decisions to be made.
Quotidiano Sportivo talk about the ‘poisonous tail of a failed season’, something that CEO Giorgio Furlani said and technical director Geoffrey Moncada agreed with. In less than a week, Milan crumbled after the positive run of five victories in the last six games.
Milan fell to Bologna in the Coppa Italia final (and thus missing out on qualification for the Europa League) and again to Roma at the Olimpico (also ending the remaining slim hopes of getting into the Conference League). Goodbye Europe, then.
Countdown to Conceiçao’s farewell
Conceicao will leave after the game against Monza on Sunday as the break clause in his contract will be enforced. The Portuguese coach reiterated concepts such as a Champions League-worthy points average, a ‘difficult environment’ and ‘mistakes by others too’.
Regarding the latter, he is speaking with particular reference to Santiago Gimenez’s expulsion for an elbow on Gianluca Mancini, considered very similar to the one inflicted by Sam Beukema on Matteo Gabbia in the Coppa Italia final and not sanctioned.
The Mexican received a one-match suspension and a fine of €15,000. A one-match suspension and a €5,000 fine went to the coach, sent off at the end for protests. Blame to be shared, in short: “Everyone will have to evaluate their own work. A club like Milan cannot be ninth and out of Europe.”
A friendly in Australia on July 31 against Perth has been made official, after those in Hong Kong against Liverpool (July 26) and Singapore against Arsenal (July 23), Milan risks having to play in the Coppa Italia against Bari already in the first weeks of August in the event of finishing ninth.
Only the top eight in the table enter the competition in December, at the last 16 stage. There are plenty of things to deal with on the table of a club that must decide its future.
Coach, director and more
For the sporting directorship, a position for which Geoffrey Moncada is studying, Igli Tare remains a candidate, as well as the possibility of a further attempt for Tony D’Amico, together with the latest name to emerge: Lee Congerton, formerly of Atalanta.
Next up after that, the choice of a new coach (and keep an eye on Napoli’s interest in Massimiliano Allegri and what that means for Antonio Conte). But in the meantime, without Europe, the sirens are knocking on the door of the big names.
Manchester City’s first offer is coming for Tijjani Reijnders, while Real Madrid are observing the situation. Leao also recently expressed a sense of belonging: “Milan made me grow, I became a man here. There are only good things in Milan, my family feels at home.”
For him, however, in addition to the usual Premier League sides (Chelsea and Arsenal), there could be a fresh attempt from Barcelona, while Atletico Madrid are starting to test the waters as per the latest reports.
In addition, Mike Maignan and Theo Hernandez, with contracts expiring in 2026. The goalkeeper is followed by Chelsea, Manchester United and Aston Villa. The full-back, after being linked with Real, could be in Juventus’ sights.
The whole RedBird era started in poisonous way.