AC Milan have decided to end Paulo Fonseca’s tenure as head coach, with the club set to make an official announcement in the coming hours. The Portuguese manager’s time at the helm has come to a close despite a narrow victory over Hellas Verona in the previous league match, which failed to dispel the doubts surrounding his leadership.
The decision to part ways with Fonseca was communicated to him by the club’s management over an hour after the conclusion of Milan’s 1-1 draw with Roma at San Siro. Fonseca himself confirmed the news upon leaving the stadium, stating that he was no longer with Milan but had a clear conscience, having done everything he could during his time at the club:
“Yes, it was true. I left Milan. Do I regret it? Well that’s life, that’s how it is. I have a calm conscience because I did everything I could,” Fonseca confirmed
Milan’s current eighth-place position in Serie A, which jeopardizes their chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, played a significant role in the decision. The team’s underwhelming performances, coupled with reported tensions between Fonseca and key players, including Theo Hernandez, ultimately led to this outcome.
Sergio Conceição, who has been without a club since leaving Porto following André Villas-Boas’ appointment as president, is set to replace Fonseca. According to multiple sources, Conceição has already been contacted by Milan and has reached a preliminary agreement with the club. The deal is expected to be for an initial six-month period with a two-year option held by the club. Conceição is reported to earn €1 million for his services.
The new coach is expected to arrive in Milan on Monday, with the official announcement likely to coincide with the team’s day off. Milan is scheduled to return to training at Milanello on Tuesday morning before departing for Saudi Arabia to participate in the Italian Super Cup.
This coaching change comes despite Fonseca having signed a contract last summer that was set to run until 2027. However, it appears that the club was willing to pay the necessary compensation to terminate the agreement early.
