The Stefano Pioli merry-go-round at AC Milan seems to have reached its final cycle. Things look almost un-saveable for the 58-year-old, so now it is a case of looking to who may replace him next season.
As our colleagues at SempreMilan.it write, almost all roads lead to the separation of the Rossoneri and Pioli. The only roads that would lead to a continuation of Pioli at the helm are filled with surprising victories and bring the first Europa League trophy to the trophy collection.
Should Milan decide to move forward without their current manager, they will have to continue to pay his salary until 2025, the end of his contract. As such, this limits the Diavolo in terms of what routes they can take and points them towards Thiago Motta, as opposed to the other names linked, such as Antonio Conte.
The reasons behind Milan’s interest in Motta
Motta’s current contract with Bologna expires in the summer of 2024, which is ideal timing for the Rossoneri. He has not shown any indications of re-signing, which strengthens the chances of his arrival.
Napoli tried to tempt Motta recently, after the sacking of Rudi Garcia, but, he has no intention of leaving his current post in the middle of the season, and he also would prefer to take the reigns at Milan as opposed to the Partenopei. Out of respect for the current regime, Milan believe they should end their relationship at the end of the season.
Additionally, Motta’s system with the Veltri is a 4-2-3-1, which matches the personnel who are currently at Milan, meaning there would be no need for an overhaul of players to fit a new system, and would limit the time needed to learn philosophies attached to other systems.
Motta’s Bologna has an average starting XI age of 24.8, the third youngest in Serie A, which acts as another positive in the eyes of RedBird. The way forward, they believe, is with youth at the forefront, something the former PSG midfielder buys into.
There is another bonus of this youth philosophy. There has been persistent interest from Milan in both Joshua Zirkzee, and Lewis Ferguson, who are both students of Motta currently, and they would gladly follow him to the Rossoneri.
Above all, though, his current salary with the Rossoblu is around €2.5million. A much more reasonable fee to pay per annum than Conte, who would ask for a figure of at least €7m, in the eyes of the club.
De Zerbi is seen as the first reserve for Milan, should they not capture Motta. The system he uses at Brighton (4-2-3-1) has earned many plaudits, along with his style of play which acts as an additional motivation for the Rossoneri’s interest.
His salary is only €2m at Brighton, though, his contract expires in June 2026, and to release him from the contract would cost between €8-€10m, a damaging, but not deadly factor. Additionally, he has expressed his interest in continuing in England, given his views on Italian football, which makes a deal potentially difficult.
Rafael Palladino is still appreciated and a name on the list, but his system (3-5-2) would require an overhaul of the squad, which makes a move for him off-putting. Most of the summer investments would not be compatible with the idea of a 3-5-2, which also draws negatives to the idea of the current Monza manager at the helm.
Let’s hope this comes to fruition because this would be a much needed step in the right direction given what the club is trying to achieve and how they want to spend on players.
In prior seasons on match day 17 here’s the record:
20/21 season – 40 points
21/22 season – 39 points
22/23 season – 37 points
This season – 33 points
Clear decline.
Also, players like Leao, Theo and Mike are not improving under Pioli. They hit their peak and are on a constant decline since, especially Theo.
Both Leao and Theo took a big step to before Pioli, could be that their peak is just their peak. So far no player that left us improved apart from Hakan.I wouldn‘t get my hopes up too high and that doesn‘t seem like a weak point of Pioli.
In the mid twenties it simply is what it is for many players. Theo was once labeled a flop and failed talent, for that his journey is hugely impressive anyway.
Regarding theo, I’d say being labelled arguably the b3st lb in the world and locking down a starting position in the most competitive national team is great peaking wise, if he’s peaked that is. On Leao, his attitude clearly has to be worked on. If he gets a fraction of the ruthless edge that Messi Cr7 Salah or Robben had, we’re sure to have a Ballon d’or winner on our hands. Attitude is the issue not talent. Speaking of Mo Salah, at Leao’s current age he was just starting to show at Roma how idiotic Chelsea were in shipping him out as a bust. A chipnon Rafa’s shoulder and he might truly come good. Otherwise he’s just a poor man’s neymar IMO.
“If he gets a fraction of the ruthless edge that Messi Cr7 Salah or Robben had, we’re sure to have a Ballon d’or winner on our hands.”
LOL. Nope. Still far away from them. Fraction? Try “sh*tloads” instead. You think Messi & CR7 didn’t have his talent when they younger (in fact they both were far more talented already at 20 than Leao has ever shown). Let’s not pretend Leao is THAT special. He’s not. He will never be associated with the likes of Messi & CR7. He lacks the ambition. And adding a fraction of that won’t change anything.
Leao shines when Theo plays well and when Magnian feeds him a precise ball. Otherwise now he is being anticipated by the opponents and in the last match he did not manage one successful pass during the whole match.
AC Milan have conceded 64 goals in 2023 in all competitions, a negative record for the Rossoneri in their history in a single calendar year (since 1929/30).
Just a quick reminder that we won Serie A by being a team with the best defense (the least conceded). And now, we’re too easily conceded and do not score that many goals as well.
A certain someone wanted to shore up the existing great defence by adding to the defence but management told him no and Moncada advised them on an attacker instead and we’ve basically been paying for the slip up ever since
” He has not shown any indications of resigning, which strengthens the chances of his arrival.”
Motta resigning would help Milan. Pretty sure you meant “re-sign” which a writer should already know.
Conte is also simply not worth that money, he is a good coach but surely not world class and had several weak seasons in CL.
If the objective is top 4 and some CL might as well keep Pioli.
Motta looks good, only downside: no top club expirience.
And no Sartori behind him…
His tactics are the same as pioli except he would expect more fitness for a high press. Defense gets a lot of 1v1s so no thiaw and tomori would mean giving up a lot of goals.