Sergio Conceicao And Antonio Conte Back In The Frame As Possible Replacement For Stefano Pioli
Written By Onyeka Daniel
In the last few days, there have been reports on a possible agreement with Spanish coach, Julien Lopetegui to replace Stefano Pioli as coach of AC Milan for next season, but it looks like nothing has been decided yet as former targets are now back in the running to become the coach of the Rossoneri for the 2024-25.
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Sergio Conceiçao’s future at Porto seems to be uncertain and Milan are closely watching how things develop, according to a report from Calciomercato. Conceiçao has long been a target for various Italian clubs starting with Lazio and Napoli, but also and above all for Milan who took him into consideration for the post-Pioli era.
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Today more than ever it is not excluded that the Portuguese coach may be reconsidered among the alternatives to Lopetegui, Paulo Fonseca and Marco van Bommel as the fans continue to demand an appointment that shows ambition.
There are some doubts about his future at Porto, despite his recent renewal until 30 June 2028. According to the Portuguese press, this extension is to all intents and purposes null and void. The reason? The signing of the extension was linked to president Pinto Da Costa remaining in his position, but the latest elections saw André Villas Boas take over.
He will now have to make a definitive decision on the future of his coach. In words, both say they are calm and ready to talk about it, but in black and white there are no certainties and Milan could put forward their interest.
There is also another name, Antonio Conte, and according to Italian sports journalist, Matteo Moretto, Conte wants to coach a Serie A club next season, but talks with Napoli are not at advanced stage, contrary to an earlier report.
Conte has emerged as one of the main candidates to become the Napoli for next season, and according to a report of RAI from last week, the two parties had reached a verbal agreement over a three-year deal. However, Moretto has told Caught Offside’s Daily Briefing that negotiations between the ex-Tottenham and Chelsea boss and the Partenopei are not at an advanced stage.
The Italian transfer expert confirms Conte wants to coach a Serie A club next season primarily due to family reasons, but as of today, he is not in advanced talks with Napoli or any other Italian club.Moretto confirms Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis is considering other candidates as well. Recent reports in Italy have linked the Partenopei with Pioli and Atalanta‘s Gian Piero Gasperini.
Meanwhile…
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Lopetegui has already informed West Ham that he has chosen Milan as his next club, and only a ‘final yes’ is missing to complete the deal, and according to the report, the ex-Real Madrid boss is ‘by far’ the leading candidate to replace Pioli in the summer.The he report further revealed that the Rossoneri were ready to offer a three-year contract worth €4m per season.
The latest report on Monday claims Lopetegui is waiting for the Serie A giants’ ‘final’ green light. Journalist Luca Bianchin also adds that Lopetegui has already informed West Ham that he has already chosen to coach Milan next season. According to Il Corriere dello Sport, the Rossoneri have already reached a verbal agreement with the Spanish coach.
And club directors are making the final assessments before putting the 57-year-old under contract. There was also speculations on how the team would lineup under him. On Sky Calcio Club, Paolo Di Canio – a great expert on the Premier League where Lopetegui coached Wolverhampton – tried to explain his playing philosophy and how Milan might look under him.
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He suggests that Mike Maignan would remain in goal with Malick Thiaw and Fikayo Tomori continuing as centre-backs and Theo Hernandez a good fit at left-back. However, Di Canio predicted that a new right-back would arrive, with more attacking qualities than Davide Calabria. A new defensive midfielder would also have to arrive to address the lack of balance in the department at present.
But Tijjani Reijnders and Ruben Loftus-Cheek seem ideal No.8s for the former Spain head coach to work with. Christian Pulisic is tipped to retain his place on the right of the attack given his more technical qualities, then the fast and direct Rafael Leao provides a contrast on the other flank. A ‘fast’ striker would then be needed to complete the attack.
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