‘Goodbye Pioli’ – four main candidates top list of potential replacements

Stefano Pioli’s time at AC Milan is drawing to a close, and now the leadership are beginning to think about who will be his successor.

This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) confirms that at the end of the season, barring any unexpected surprises, Pioli will conclude his time with the Rossoneri. Even if he were to triumph in the derby, it feels like the decision has been made.

The club’s disappointment at the defeat at the Olimpico in Rome led to an initial assessment: in mid-April Milan no longer had any ambitions or trophy targets, something that goes against what the ownership want.

The league stopped being an objective a long time ago and Inter’s imminent Scudetto prevails over the joy of Champions League qualification. The Coppa Italia campaign ended in the quarter-final, the UCL exit came in the group stage and then the Europa League knockout arrived most recently,

It is not acceptable for the club and for Gerry Cardinale (expected at the derby but developments have taken away the certainty of his presence). Hence the need to change course, and the study phase of finding a new coach has already begun.

An international profile

Milan are looking for an international coach, with a recognisable style of play, who is good at working with young players, in line with the club’s project: ambition but also sustainability and with 20-year-olds to develop.

The management have already moved in recent months to obtain information on two candidates: Julen Lopetegui, now out of action after his experience at Wolverhampton, and Paulo Fonseca, formerly of Roma, now at Lille.