Reports from Italy suggest Milan are considering Lille coach Paulo Fonseca as a replacement for Stefano Pioli. In the aftermath of their elimination from the Europa League at the hands of Roma, the Rossoneri are now gearing up for the derby against Inter. Monday’s clash is likely to mark the final Milan derby with Pioli at the helm; the Parma-born coach is expected to be relieved of his duties at the end of the season by club ownder Gerry Cardinale.
Calciomercato report that with Pioli’s impending departure, Milan are increasingly looking towards foreign options for the summer, having explored various avenues in recent weeks. While initial inquiries were made into the availability of Thiago Motta, who, however, appears to have a preliminary agreement with Cristiano Giuntoli’s Juventus, the club has maintained contact with Julen Lopetegui, although this option is not yet considered a priority.
One name gaining traction among the Milan hierarchy is that of Paulo Fonseca. The Portuguese coach is set to become a free agent in July, with his contract at Lille expiring, attracting significant interest, particularly from Ligue 1 clubs. Milan sees Fonseca, formerly of AS Roma, as an intriguing option due to his track record at Lille in terms of playing style and results.
Fonseca’s tactical preference of the 4-2-3-1 formation aligns well with the current roster at Milan, and his familiarity with Italian football from his time at Roma adds to his appeal. It’s reported that informal discussions have already taken place with Fonseca’s agent, Marco Abreu, along with an intermediary agency that could facilitate any potential deal.
