The ‘Conceicao Shock’ approach: How the players reacted [Bonus Article]

From the outside looking in, a managerial change might be viewed as solely positive for a football club, especially following a poor run of results. The reality, of course, is a lot more nuanced as the players must get to know a new manager. It’s not just a question of adapting to new tactics as changes often extend beyond the pitch, from pre-match routines to training ground rules.

I think a lot of fans viewed the appointment of Sergio Conceicao - regardless of how it came about - as a positive thing for Milan’s season. The players were spinning around in a hamster wheel under Paulo Fonseca and securing a top-four finish seemed like wishful thinking. New blood was needed for a squad that, let’s face it, has more talent than what the league table has shown so far.

Almost three weeks in, most would agree that the effect has been positive for Milan, or at least necessary despite the Juve defeat. Conceicao has three wins in his first five games and the players have publicly expressed their support for his philosophy. Then again, as alluded to at the start, it was truly a big change for the players just before the new year (with some interesting stories to tell).