da 888: Jose Mourinho has been used in an argument against AC Milan’s supposed managerial targets, as Christian Pulisic and Co wait on some big decisions.
da poker: Article continues below
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Pioli expected to be move onSeveral candidates linked with roleAmerican stars have to prove themselvesGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
The expectation is that current Rossoneri coach Stefano Pioli will be relieved of his duties at the end of the season. Despite boasting a Serie A title success from 2021-22, the 58-year-old is paying the price for failing to land major honours in 2024.
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Porto’s Sergio Conceicao and Lille’s Paulo Fonseca are said to figure prominently on Milan’s recruitment radar, but Fabio Capello has told of the Rossoneri needing to favour local options such as Antonio Conte, Thiago Motta, Roberto De Zerbi or Raffaele Palladino: “It’s like this, winning Italian coaches are little sought after. Today there is a lot of talk about foreigners and young coaches on the rise, from [Daniele] De Rossi to [Alberto] Gilardino and Palladino. The directors’ idea is probably to go in search of something new, different, but also cheap. Safe second-hand products are less popular.”
Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Former Milan boss Capello added on the baffling desire to keep bringing in foreign bosses: “Who came from outside to win in Italy? [Nils] Liedholm, [Vujadin] Boskov, [Sven Goran] Eriksson, a few examples and now dated. Since 2000 only Mourinho. It must mean something. We look around when we have Thiago Motta at home, who is ready for the big teams. [Gian Piero] Gasperini himself, he hasn’t been dancing for just a year, he’s been doing it for years and every time he manages to give something more to the team, he constantly renews himself and always manages to be competitive. For the skills he has, he deserves any important bench.”
WHAT NEXT?
USMNT star Pulisic, along with international colleague Yunus Musah, is among those eager to discover who will be handed the Milan reins for 2024-25. The American forward has impressed this season, posting 13 goals, but changes in the dugout inevitably lead to questions of who will figure prominently in long-term plans.