Who will be AC Milan's new head coach?

AC Milan is looking for a new head coach to fill their ranks... But who will be the lucky one? The north Italian team finished the season 2nd in the Serie A, but the club is in total chaos ahead of next season. AC Milan is looking to replace Stefano Pioli at the end of the season, and local fans made sure they voiced their opinion.

AC Milan need to hire a new coach that will bring new ideas to the table and a fresh impulse into European competitions. Regardless of their 2nd place finishing in Serie A, the team looked burnt out and out of ideas.

It has been no secret that the 'Rossoneri' were looking for a viable replacement for Stefano Pioli at the end of the 2023/24 season, ending a four-and-a-half years at the club. "In fact, Pioli is Milan's longest-serving manager since Carlo Ancelotti left the club 15 years ago, after nine years on the job," according to Forbes.

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While AC Milan's financial power might offer them a wide selection of coaches, its supporters have strong veto power and tend to voice out their concerns with the board of directors.

The AC Milan supporters, also referred to as 'cacciaviti' (screwdrivers), have always had a strong impact on the club's decisions. Around 15 years ago, AC Milan fans stood underneath the window of Kaka, in order to prevent the Brazilian's move to Manchester City. He stayed another six months before heading to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009, according to Forbes.

There has been talk of various options, such as Antonio Conte, Roberto De Zerbi, Mark van Bommel, Paulo Fonseca, and Julen Lopetegui. These are just some of the main options on the table for the Italian club.

Antonio Conte is a club favourite to join the 'Rossoneri'. The former Inter Milan and Juventus coach might be on his way back to the Serie A, but to coach Napoli, according to the Italian publication 'Calcio Napoli'.

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Mark van Bommel is another option the club is considering for the bench next season. However, the former AC Milan player understands he is not the top option right now.

Another option that is being considered is that of Roberto De Zerbi, the current Brighton head coach. Nevertheless, the 44-year-old Italian manager has a contract with the English club until 2026. It would take AC Milan a greater financial effort to sign De Zerbi.

Julen Lopetegui was another great alternative for the Italian club. According to Forbes, the former Real Madrid and Sevilla coach was on the verge of sealing a deal with the 'Rossoneri', but local fans blocked the deal through a petition.

AC Milan fans took to social platforms in order to display their frustration with the club's decision. A statement was drafted by Milan's Curva Sud asking the club to show more ambition in their managerial selection. The hashtag 'Nopetegui' went viral on social media.

Fans cited his short and complicated run at Real Madrid in 2018 and how he struggled with Sevilla too. "It was reported that Milan owners RedBird were taken off guard by the vociferous response to the potential hiring of Lopetegui and have since pulled back, returning to the drawing board", reports Forbes.

According to Sky Sport Italia, the Italian club has locked in Fonseca as their target. The Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca is now viewed as the best candidate to take control of the squad. He is currently the coach of Lille OSC, but his contract ends in June 2024, maybe a window of opportunity for the 'Rossoneri'. Let us know what you think in the comments!

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