AC Milan have announced they have parted ways with manager Paulo Fonseca following last night’s 1-1 draw at home to AS Roma at the San Siro.
Fonseca, 51, was appointed by Milan in June, replacing Stefano Pioli, but was relieved of his duties following yesterday’s game and an underwhelming first half of the season. The former Roma and Lille manager confirmed he had been fired after the game when speaking to reporters from his car while leaving the stadium, saying, “Yes, it’s true. I’m out, that’s life. I did everything I could.”
The Rossoneri confirmed the departure this morning with a club statement which said, “The Club extends its gratitude to Paulo for his great professionalism and wishes him the very best in his future endeavours.
Sunday night’s result leaves the seven-time European champions in eighth place, five points off the UEFA Europa Conference League positions. Milan travel to Saudi Arabia for their next game, which sees them take on Juventus in the first leg of the Supercoppa Italia semi-final.
Who have Milan replaced Fonseca with?
Milan have been quick to act in finding Fonseca’s replacement, and former FC Porto manager Sérgio Conceição has officially been revealed as the club’s new head coach. The Portuguese manager has joined the Rossoneri on a deal running until June 2026.
Conceição left Porto in June 2024 after seven years at the club and was not short of admirers after leaving the Estádio do Dragão. It has been reported that the 50-year-old rejected three offers from Europe and South America due to him being aware of Milan’s interest.
Conceição’s first game in charge against Juventus on Friday will see him up against a familiar face as his son, Francisco Conceição, plays for the Bianconeri.
How did Conceição fare at Porto?
Looking at Conceição’s record at Porto, it makes for very promising reading for Milan fans. The former Inter and Lazio winger was in charge of the Portuguese giants for a total of 368 matches, where he amassed an impressive 2.29 points per game. Across his seven-year spell, he won 11 trophies, making him the most successful manager in the club’s history.
From a tactical perspective, Conceição tends to set up with a possession-based 4-2-3-1 formation. Porto would build from the back, often recycling possession in defence before progressing into midfield. Despite being a possession-heavy side, Porto would play quickly in the middle and final third, leading to entertaining and unpredictable attacking football. Out of possession, Porto would employ a high-energy mentality, resulting in an aggressive press led by the forward players. Conceição would also set his sides up to play with a high line, allowing for quick transitions into attacking positions.
Conceição is a winner and showed at Porto that he is not afraid to drop players if he feels they are not hitting the required standard. This mentality will certainly make for interesting viewing at Milan, where players have recently come under scrutiny from the club’s ultras. However, if the Portuguese manager can get the best out of exciting attacking players, such as Rafael Leão, Milan could definitely become one of the more entertaining teams in the division and fulfil their talented squad’s potential.
Milan fans, how do you feel about this appointment?