Whilst the names on AC Milan’s shortlist are known, the candidate who will lead the squad next season has not yet been decided, and today, Carlo Pellegatti spoke to Radio Rossonera about the current situation.
It has been a season of ups and downs, and the manager has taken the brunt of that. Whilst Stefano Pioli has proved himself to be an excellent candidate on occasions, this season, he has fallen at several hurdles and opened conversations about his future by himself.
Pioli deserves his flowers, and it would be unfair to suggest otherwise. The 58-year-old has led Milan to a Scudetto and refound the side in several aspects, making Champions League qualification an expectation again.
Nevertheless, this final season may scar memories for some, but his work needs commending, and the foundations have been firmly set for his heir to build on, though who that will be remains unknown.
Pellegatti spoke on Radio Rossonera about the saga connected to the choice of Milan’s next head coach, and he turned to the fans to ask them a question.
“Today the discussion regarding Lopetegui is definitively closed, from Spain Lopetegui’s entourage says they are surprised, amazed, astonished and disappointed by this legitimate change by Milan after the uprising of the fans. The Milan fans will be happy, but the feelings of the other side must also be taken into account,” he said.
“The fans continue to ask for Conte, but when they know that Conte isn’t arriving, I want to understand who they will go for. There are many who don’t want De Zerbi. I would like to understand, which coach do they want? And then I will like him too. It seems like a complicated life to me.
“If De Zerbi were contacted with a desire to sign him, I think he would come. Then it depends on the will of Milan, who usually don’t buy a coach [he has a €15m release clause]. If they legitimately say we won’t buy a coach, De Zerbi will also fail.”
“At the moment I don’t see any coach as being close to Milan. I have no idea what the next move could be, if they have a plan B after Lopetegui, not it leaks out a lot.”