After another disappointing performance against AS Roma, AC Milan have drawn the consequences and released coach Paulo Fonseca. The Portuguese had only taken over in Lombardy in the summer – and is replaced by a compatriot.
Even before the game against AS Roma, the Italian media had been talking about the imminent replacement of Paulo Fonseca as AC Milan coach. One day after the disappointing 1-1 draw against the capital city team, the club decided to draw a line under the situation.
The successor to the Portuguese, who had taken over the Rossoneri in the summer, was determined a few hours later: the long-time coach of FC Porto, Sergio Conceicao, takes over the Rossoneri and signs a contract until the summer of 2026.
Milan is only eighth in the league
In Serie A, Milan have only 27 points after 17 games, which puts them in 8th place. This is far too little for the Lombards’ and Fonseca’s ambitions, who had set out with big goals in the summer. The game against his former club Roma, in which he was also sent off, was his last on the sidelines for Milan. They merely thanked Fonseca for his “great professionalism” in a short statement on their homepage – it is said that relations between the Portuguese manager and the club management had already broken down before the Roma game.
“I did everything I could,” Fonseca said after leaving the stadium on Sunday evening after the game, and confirmed his imminent resignation with the words ‘Yes, it’s true,’ reported Sky Sport Italia.
His successor now faces the challenging task of leading Milan back into the upper regions of the table. The Champions League places are currently eight points away, with fourth-placed Lazio having played a game more. Under predecessor Stefano Pioli, Milan finished last season as runners-up to their city rivals Inter. However, AC is doing well in the Champions League: after six games and four wins, they are in 12th place.