On this day in 2019, AC Milan hired Stefano Pioli as their new head coach. The appointment was heavily criticised at the time, but it has been a successful journey for the Rossoneri since.
After Marco Giampaolo was sacked, many fans were calling for Luciano Spalletti to replace him. However, Paolo Maldini decided to go with Pioli instead and the hashtag #PioliOut was trending for days on social media afterwards.
In hindsight, it was a very good decision by the club icon. Pioli is one of the most successful managers in the club’s history, taking them back to the Champions League, winning the Scudetto and reaching the UCL semi-finals.
Out of the 198 games managed, Milan came away with all three points in 111 of them, drawing 478 and losing 40. This gives Pioli an average points per game of 1.92, which is on par with Carlo Ancelotti.
📅 On this day in 2019, #ACMilan hired Stefano Pioli as their new head coach…
⚽ 198 games
✅ 111 wins
🤝 47 draws
❌ 40 losses
🔢 1.92 points per game
🏆 One Scudetto pic.twitter.com/KRtbzacMJ5— MilanData📊 (@acmilandata) October 9, 2023
The start to this season has certainly been successful, winning every single game in the league except the derby. Pioli will now be able to celebrate his four-year anniversary with some peace and quiet thanks to the international break, obviously aided by the first place in the standings.
He sux, De Zerbi would’ve had a 100% win rate clearly
That 6-1 loss to Villa, losing to shite Chelsea and barely hanging on against Liverpool doesnt count!
Let’s see Pioli take Brighton into the Europa League…
Pioli lovers are next level delusional. I’m convinced they don’t watch the games.
Their next comment will be an insult followed by “go support another team!”
This must be sarcasm and scoff towards the people who wants De Zerbi to replace Pioli 🤣
The couch coaches shall emerge from their slumber and tell what pioli is all about. Then sink back into slumber.
I remember all those 40 losses vividly
I remember those 111 wins more vividly than the 40 losess.
What a great job Pioli has done with this Milan team. I hope even his detractors can recognise what an integral part he’s been in bringing through a lot of young players, winning a league title on a far smaller pay roll and getting us performing on the continental stage. Did he get lucky to get to the UCL this year? Yes. But he also took this side to the semi finals last year.
He won’t be around forever and there’ll be a time to let someone else take over, but there’s not many managers who have overachieved with a sleeping giant as much as he has done in recent years. Played a huge part in the revival, along with Gazidis, Moncada, Massara, Maldini and many others.
One of the best coaches at Milan all time
Wonder what Milan’s position on the table was when he took over. He’s made some strides and helped stabilized the ship after a very difficult time since Berlusconi couldn’t do it anymore. I remember the first season back in the UCL after a long absence. We can’t fault Pioli for trying guys…he is not perfect but he has really worked wonders with a low budget team.
#IPIT