Italy’s historic club has endured a deeply disappointing season, and the coach has to take the blame.
Sergio Conceição’s contract was supposed to last one and a half years, but he lasted only five months. After a season filled with frustration, AC Milan announced the coach’s departure.
Given Milan’s performance this season, the writing was on the wall for Conceição’s exit long before the official announcement came on Thursday.
He started as Milan’s new coach on December 30, and his beginning was promising. Just about a week after taking charge, the team won the Italian Super Cup. Despite trailing by two goals in the final, they made a remarkable comeback to beat city rivals Inter Milan 3-2.
But that spark didn’t last. The team struggled consistently in the league, failed to advance past the Champions League playoffs, and their last hope—the Italian Cup—ended in a final defeat to Bologna.
The 19-time Serie A champions finished the league in eighth place, trailing champions Napoli by 19 points.
All in all, Conceição’s departure became inevitable.
This marks the third coaching exit in a year for the club. After last season, Stefano Pioli left by mutual consent. Paulo Fonseca was hired in June on a three-year deal but lasted less than six months. Now, Conceição shares the same fate.
Reports from Italy suggest that Massimiliano Allegri is the frontrunner to become the new Milan coach. It’s said that discussions with him are already finalized.
If true, Allegri would be returning to Milan for a second spell, having previously coached the club from 2010 to 2014. Under his guidance, Milan won the Italian Super Cup and Serie A in 2011.
He then enjoyed great success at Juventus between 2014 and 2019, winning five consecutive Serie A titles, four Italian Cups, and two Italian Super Cups, as well as reaching two Champions League finals. Allegri returned to Juventus for a second spell from 2021 to 2024 but with less success, though he did win the Italian Cup last May.
Just two days after that victory, Allegri was dismissed due to misconduct.
Now, at 57 years old, he could soon be back on Milan’s bench.
