AC Milan are entering a decisive period of the season, where plans have to be concocted for the upcoming season whilst remaining focused on the current season. With Stefano Pioli’s future still up in the air, both have to go hand in hand for a decision to be made.
Ultimately, this season, targets have not been reached, and there is now a huge decision to make for the Milan board regarding Pioli’s future. There is, of course, the chance that the Rossoneri go deep in the Europa League, which could change the fortunes of the 58-year-old, but the signs have pointed towards a separation for some time now.
Whichever way the situation is looked at, there is a need for direction. Regardless of the failure to compete for the Scudetto in this season and the last, Pioli has once again got the Diavolo into the Champions League consistently, but this needs to be built from now to the point where the squad becomes Scudetto competitors.
Sky journalist Peppe Di Stefano has offered his thoughts on the matter and what Milan need next from Pioli or someone else – his words have been relayed by Radio Rossonera.
“Pioli? They will decide in April or May. In my opinion, the season is too open. You can’t choose today to keep Pioli, because if things go wrong you have to change,” he said.
“But for me, you can’t even say today 100% that they will change the coach. If Pioli goes on a run like he did in the post-lockdown year, with 9 wins and 3 draws, or perhaps he makes a run in the Europa League, then what do you do?
“You don’t just need a huge, first-rate name. You also need a coach who meets the direction of the club. I’m not so sure that if Guardiola had been at Milan last year he would have accepted Tonali’s transfer so willingly…”
Poor pioli. I wish he was on fire forever. Bht alas
That last bit is important. Goodncoaches don’t want to see major parts of their team sold unless they have someone just as good.
So improving the overall quality of the squad doesn’t matter? Just if you sell Tonali, get another Tonali, but if Saelemaekers and Messias are still our right wing, there is no substitute for Leao and there is no attacking midfielder, then cool. Maybe if we sell the whole squad we can sign Mbappe and play 10 primavera players alongside him? Seems like a winning formula.
You build by adding other good pieces. Not subtracting a good piece to get a bunch of mediocre pieces.
Are you saying reijnders and loftus-cheek are worse than tonali?
What is the point of making the Guardiola analogy?
A coach like him or Klopp, in the prime of their careers are out of Italian clubs ability to pay them. When they are washed like Mourinho and Conte, they will become an option for serie A clubs.
There is a reason why Guardiola only coaches teams that can buy whatever player he wants.
Also, didn’t Guardiola lose a player much better than Tonali in Gundogan? His midfield is not as good this season with Kovacic instead of Gundogan.
If he accepts that willingly or unwillingly, it makes no difference.
Spot on. Begs the question of where does Guardiola go next? Spain and then what? Because he’s not going to find another club that can finance his every whim after City. It’s retirement I guess, or maybe a paid retirement in the Saudi league followed by actual retirement.
He changed his style of play which allowed him to do that. Rodri is so important to that team nowdays.
Gundogan left as a free agent as he always do, his future was in his own hands, guardiola and man city had no say
I wonder if management realizes that any other more expensive/ambitious coaches aren’t as amicable as Pioli. We pretty much have the most agreeable, non-abrasive coach you can ask for who doesn’t make a fuss on transfers. Maybe they can try the same stunt with a younger coach like Motta who doesn’t have the trophies to his name yet.
We need someone who will bring ambition to milan.
I would argue it would have to be Motta or Sarri… Leao would explode under Sarri.
if Conte comes in, Leao would wither away in his rigid Calcio Verticale. Would get sold for sure.