Reports from Italy suggest Milan may make another bid to sign Bologna coach Thiago Motta, pre-empting Juventus.
Il Corriere della Sera report that the market for the coaching positions at Milan and Napoli is revolving around the name of Antonio Conte. But the ‘surprise topic’ in the last few hours concerns Thiago Motta. The Rossoneri are ready to intervene in the negotiations between the Bianconeri and the Bologna coach, who rejected Napoli just last summer.
Conte, with his impressive track record, still holds the allure of being the coach with the highest points average in Serie A. He captivates the fans of both cities and prompts the clubs to evaluate (differently) the upcoming season. It’s a matter (and necessity) of revival after a disappointing year for various reasons and ambitions.
The Rossoneri, securely second in the standings, missed out on the Coppa Italia, Champions League, and Europa League titles. Meanwhile, Napoli are picking up the pieces from the disaster of the post-title year. At the moment, Napoli is the club that tempts Conte the most, especially since they are the only ones who have shown interest. The Rossoneri’s management is leaning towards other profiles despite the fans’ strong demands. Among the options are Julen Lopetegui, Francesco Farioli, and Roberto De Zerbi. However, surprisingly, Milan could disrupt the negotiations between Thiago Motta and Juventus. Intersections.
Antonio Conte is reportedly the ‘obsession’ of Milan fans, who do not consider any other name for the club’s revival after a disappointing season. Unfortunately, for the club, the former national team coach’s figure is not considered a priority, not because of his abilities, but because of his tendency to be overpowering. So, in the last few hours, Casa Milan’s managers have resumed contact with Thiago Motta’s entourage, the preferred coach who was already sounded out in the past months after Pioli’s exit from the Champions League. As is known, the wunderkind, leading Bologna to miracles, promised himself to Juventus. Cristiano Giuntoli, the man entrusted by John Elkann to rebuild the team of the future, intends to start over with a new technical project.
However, no pre-agreement followed the handshake between the Juventus representative and Thiago. If Max Allegri were to leave, he would demand payment of the entire year’s contract for himself and his staff (12 million net in total). The circumstance would not be painless for Juventus’ finances, having recently been ordered to pay €9.7 million to Cristiano Ronaldo in the dispute over unpaid salaries. So, while Juventus calculate the numbers, Milan hopes to make a breakthrough.
Lopetegui, who is not favored by the Diavolo social media, after meetings with CEO Furlani, awaits a sign. He has shown approval for the Rossoneri’s offer, but his stock is falling. Moreover, he has received a financially doubled offer from West Ham in the last few hours and has been approached by United. The voices of dissent from the fans have not gone unnoticed.
Roberto De Zerbi certainly intrigues Milan’s executives: he is a product of the youth sector and has made a name for himself in the Premier League with a style of play that has attracted the attention of Europe’s top clubs. The downside is linked to the costs of the operation: a €15 million clause and €5 million in wages. Too much? The last name being followed is that of former Roma coach Paulo Fonseca, who is also in the sights of Marseille. Certainly, action needs to be taken quickly.
Conte remains in the front row and Pioli in the background. De Laurentiis has been considering Conte for at least seven months, when he called him to replace Rudi Garcia. Since then, there have been more or less frequent contacts, following the coach’s wish not to intervene during the ongoing season. “He’s a friend,” insists Napoli’s owner. The dialogue with him remains open, despite some attention also given to Stefano Pioli, who is leaving Milan — as a profile, he is more in line with the prudent and cautious philosophy of the Neapolitan club — but so far, Aurelio has neither met nor heard from him. The number one goal: the former Juventus and Inter coach, who represents the big coup, a guarantee of revival, willing to rebuild with an important but not unlimited budget without the income from the Champions League.
