Stefano Pioli has come under scrutiny in recent weeks and after failing to turn the situation around, the AC Milan manager could be sacked before the end of the year. Any decision, however, has been postponed until after the Newcastle clash.
Milan suffered another tough defeat yesterday, conceding three goals against Atalanta after a questionable defensive display. Pioli didn’t do his players any favours either, implementing several tactical changes despite the injury crisis.
Newcastle are up next and in order to qualify, the Rossoneri need to clinch all three points while also relying on Borussia Dortmund to beat Paris Saint-Germain. In short, the path to the Round of 16 is very tough and Pioli will need to save himself by at least winning.
According to Franco Ordine in his editorial for Il Giornale this morning, as cited by Francesco Nasato, Milan will decide after the Newcastle game. Crashing out of the Champions League, and perhaps even missing out on the Europa League as well, would cost the club a lot of money.
The January window is just around the corner and bringing in a new manager before then could be a good move. The question is if the Milan management will have the guts to make a mid-season change.
