AC Milan Focusing Their Attention On Conceicao As Pioli Avoids Questions On His Possible Move TO Napoli
Written By Onyeka Daniel
With time not on their side, AC Milan are in a race to pick their manager for next season amidst reports that Stefano Pioli is also on his way to join Napoli at the end of the season. Already, it has been confirmed that the Scudetto winning coach will be sacked at the end of the season after going his second season without winning a trophy.
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And the name that was initially mentioned, Julen Lopetegui has reportedly been dropped after fans protested against his appointment. Now, it appears that Sergio Conceicao is ‘the chosen one’ by AC Milan for the post-Pioli era, according to reports.
Contacts are proceeding between the parties and the upcoming two days are set to be decisive. Milan have been following Conceicao for quite some time but their interest was fueled by the presidential election at Porto.
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Andre Villas-Boas won and will thus take the position of Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, who had signed a renewal with the manager days before.According to Peppe Di Stefano of Sky Italia, speaking live on air earlier, the latest is the following: “Milan are on Sergio Conceicao, who will most likely be the one chosen by the club.
“To date, this seems to be the direction, barring sensational second thoughts” Manuele Baiocchini, also of Sky Italia, tweeted an update later, stating that contacts are progressing on good terms between Milan and Jorge Mendes. The next 48 hours should be decisive in trying to find an agreement, per the journalist, with the negotiations now advanced.
It remains to be seen If these reports will be confirmed by other sources, with some suggesting that Milan currently aren’t close to deciding their next manager. Christophe Galtier, who has also been mentioned as an option has responded. He made it clear that he hasn’t had any contact with the club.
The Frenchman was briefly mentioned as a concrete option for Milan but in the last week or so, his candidacy has certainly faded. Speaking to L’Equipe, Galtier was asked about the recent Milan links. However, he made it clear that there hasn’t been any contact, also saying that he thought the Rossoneri had secured Lopetegui.
“It’s flattering, even if I haven’t spoken to the directors. But I understand that they chose Lopetegui,” he stated. As said, Conceicao seems to be the strongest candidate for now and in the coming days, he should have a meeting with Porto to define the future. Milan are watching on with great interest and could then make a serious move.
Meanwhile…
Pioli tried to side step the rumours linking him to Napoli ahead of Milan’s Sunday afternoon Serie A clash with Alberto Gilardino’s Genoa. Speaking in a pre-match press conference, Pioli first discussed the fight for second place. “There absolutely must be the will to play in the best way possible to win and take second place, which is not yet entirely ours.” He was asked how it felt to work amidst the rumours surrounding his future.
“My task shouldn’t be complicated, there are four games left. It’s true that outside you talk about everything except the games, but we don’t. We have a great sense of responsibility. Then we’ll see the future at the end of the season.” Pioli batted off the Napoli links, amidst reports that there is an agreement for a two years deal plus the option of another year with Aurelio De Laurentiis.
“No thoughts, other than the next four games. At the end of the season, I’ll meet the club and we’ll see what to do.”He commented on his preparations for Genoa. “We have the opportunity to demonstrate that we are responsible people, we cannot change our past, but we can change the present.” He spoke about his relationship with the Milan directors. Zlatan and Moncada were here yesterday.”
My relationship with the directors has always been good and will also be so at the end of the season, even when we talk about our future.” He was again probed about his post-Milan future. “You’ve waited a long time, wait a little longer to talk about my future, the work isn’t finished. You can write, I can’t control the rumours and I don’t even want to control what you put out there.
“The real thing is that I have another year of my contract with Milan and that I won’t talk to any other club whilst I’m under contract with Milan. ”Pioli discussed the idea of a year away from football. “I know you find it hard to believe me and I understand it from your looks, but I’m not thinking about my future. Then we’ll decide. I’ll meet with the club at the end of the season and then we will decide what to do.”
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He reflected on the differences between the first meeting with Genoa this season and the upcoming clash. “We won with a bit of luck, we were first in the table. I want to congratulate Gilardino for the work he did, he has very good players, but he was good at putting them together. “We met our rivals who had an incredible season, we weren’t able to stay close to them.
“Then the elimination against Roma was very, very painful for us, we played two normal games, and we were eliminated.” Pioli spoke about a possible hostile climate at Milan.“When you coach a club like Milan there is no middle ground. I have been praised a lot and I have been criticized a lot.” He was asked – in Neapolitan dialect – if he likes pizza.
“I like cappelletti in broth, because I’m from Parma! I congratulate Pecchia on the promotion, he can take it easy.” Pioli then discussed the protest from the Milan ultras at the Genoa match.“Our fans have always been an added value, especially in difficult moments. And I don’t forget that. They have taken this position, and we respect it, then we have to do everything to ensure we win the match.” He replied.
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