It is being widely reported that Stefano Pioli has never been this much at risk of losing his job as AC Milan head coach, and the management are beginning to think of potential replacements.
Tuttosport (via PianetaMilan) writes that it will be a Christmas of profound reflections at Milan. Zlatan Ibrahimović will give his point of view on the situation to CEO Giorgio Furlani, technical director Geoffrey Moncada and sporting director Antonio D’Ottavio regarding the coaching situation.
Milan’s desire to continue with Pioli for the time being, however, does not mean that the coach will not be constantly under pressure. A bad result against Sassuolo, Cagliari (in the Coppa Italia) and/or Empoli could force a decision.
Pioli could also be put in a difficult position if the decision is made to sack certain figures within his staff, given the constant injury problems, because he will not be able to intervene too much but might see some trusted collaborators depart.
Ignazio Abate is a potential caretaker in the event that the leadership are forced to remove Pioli early, but then from the summer there are three longer-term options that Furlani and co. like: Thiago Motta (Bologna), Vincenzo Italiano (Fiorentina) and Francesco Farioli (OGC Nice).
