Get on with it, Milan [Newsletter]

Jun 05, 2024

The managerial pursuit has been ongoing for several months now and while AC Milan have chosen Stefano Pioli’s replacement, by all accounts, the fans are still waiting for the official statement. In the interest of enjoying the Euros and planning for the future, the Rossoneri should just get on with it before they lose too much interest.

Many names have been linked with the club since the Europa League exit, when it was indirectly confirmed that Pioli would say goodbye at the end of the season. Following Lopetegui gate and the cries for Antonio Conte, everything suggests that Milan have chosen Paulo Fonseca. Suggests indeed, as the Rossoneri fans are still waiting on an official announcement from the club.

Over a week has passed since the final game of the season, and an additional five days since the Roma friendly, so what are Milan waiting for? Judging by the latest reports, the contract hasn’t even been signed yet. Granted that most eyes are on the Euros, and the fact that a very long season only just came to an end, it would have felt more ‘prepared’ to get the announcement early.

One can only hope that this hasn’t affected the work on the mercato, with Milan looking to sign a few high-profile players this summer. It is a necessity to move early with such negotiations, especially when the Euros will be played the same summer, but perhaps this has been taken care of with a phone call to Fonseca. After all, the former Roma manager seems very compatible with the management.

This is no doubt a big reason for his appointment too as Milan need someone who can make the most of the club’s fantastic scouting department. Pioli deserves credit for elevating players such as Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao, but as much as he was great at man management, the Rossoneri also need a clear identity on the pitch to achieve the desired success.

As has been stated several times, only time will tell if Fonseca is the right man for the job. The most important thing is that the Milan directors have found a manager that they truly believe is right for the project, without being affected too much by the noise on the outside. Pioli ended up being the perfect choice when he was hired, despite all the outrage, and perhaps Fonseca will be right for this new era.

The manager matters little without the right material, though, so Geoffrey Moncada and his colleagues will have to hold up their end of the bargain as well. It has already been confirmed by Milan that a striker will be signed, but they could certainly do with a centre-back and a defensive midfielder as well. As with Fonseca, only time will tell if the right decisions will be made on the mercato.

Announcement (watch and learn Milan): We have now added the chat feature here on Substack, as explained in a previous post, giving our paid subscribers access to a group chat where they can discuss Milan with each other and the SM team! You can try 7 days as a paid subscriber completely for free, check it out!

News Bulletin

➤ There has been a flurry of news about Milan Primavera, starting with the man who is the favourite to replace Ignazio Abate as head coach. Meanwhile, a plan has emerged for Andrei Coubis after a difficult season and Christian Comotto is expected to renew soon.

➤ Crucial developments are expected soon regarding the U23 team project too, given that the deadline for Serie C registration has passed and a slot might open up. The head coach for the team has been chosen, as has the stadium and the man who will oversee the operation: Jovan Kirovski.

➤ An interesting twist has arrived in Milan's pursuit of a new striker: according to Sky, the club contacted Chelsea for information about Romelu Lukaku and the possibility of signing him on loan, but the Blues want a permanent sale.

➤ Zlatan Ibrahimovic has now been at Milan for half a year, and La Gazzetta dello Sport raised some question marks about his responsibilities and the impact he has made so far. They also revealed that he did not push for Paulo Fonseca, and that he has only really had a say in two things.

➤ Speculation continues about some of the Rossoneri's stars. Rafael Leao was at the centre of a storm after some alleged (and denied) comments by Paolo Scaroni, Theo Hernandez 'wants to leave' according to reports in France and Mike Maignan's future remains uncertain as we reported.

➤ In our long reads over the past week we have taken a look at the legacy Abate leaves after three years with the club, the clues from the previous No.9s Fonseca has had, the story behind his assistant Paulo Ferreira and how his first 10 weeks in charge should go.