Former Lazio teammate Juan Sebastian Veron has given a ringing endorsement to newly appointed AC Milan manager Sergio Conceicao, describing him as “reliable, determined, and a winner.” Speaking from Buenos Aires, the Argentine midfielder shared his insights on Conceicao’s character and coaching style, drawing from their time together at Lazio during the 2000 Scudetto-winning season.
A Man of Principles
Veron emphasized Conceicao’s strong moral foundation, stating, “He’s a man of iron principles. He believes in rules, follows them, and never deviates.” He added, “I have never been coached by him, but I can imagine that he applies the same method from the bench. He has a method, he applies it, and I believe he asks his players to give their all on the pitch.”
Playing Style and Expectations
Reflecting on Conceicao’s playing days, Veron recalled his tireless work ethic: “When he played, he was always ready to run up and down the wing without a moment’s rest. It was a tremendous effort; he was always available to help in defense. He was generous—very generous—and also very demanding.” Veron noted that this self-demanding nature extended to his expectations for others: “He expects a lot from himself first and foremost, and logically from everyone else as well.”
Facing Challenges at Milan
Veron dismissed concerns about the pressure Conceicao might face at Milan. “Sergio doesn’t scare easily,” he asserted. “He’s ready to challenge the whole world to achieve his goal. His character is not made of iron but of steel.” He pointed to Conceicao’s successful seven-year tenure at Porto as evidence of his ability to handle high-pressure environments: “At Porto, he won a lot; I believe he became the most successful coach in the club’s history. That means he’s ready for any environment.”
Tactical Approach
Describing Conceicao’s coaching philosophy, Veron said, “He seems to be an old-school coach, which I prefer. Vertical football, not much tiki-taka, and most importantly, the principle that the game is played by the players on the field, not by the coach on the blackboard.” He expects Conceicao to employ a 4-4-2 formation with an emphasis on pressing and speed: “He likes wingers who push forward and sacrifice defensively.”
Expectations for Milan
While acknowledging Milan’s recent struggles, Veron expressed optimism about Conceicao’s impact: “I’m convinced that Milan will benefit from Conceicao’s arrival. He’s a serious professional with an excellent wealth of experience that he’ll put at the service of the club.”
When asked about Milan’s current situation, Veron remarked, “One thing is certain: the team has not performed according to its potential so far. Milan has strong players—think of Leao, Theo, Reijnders, Fofana, Morata, Pulisic—and surely I’m forgetting someone… But in this early part of the season, the spark has rarely ignited; there hasn’t been continuity in their performance.”
The Road Ahead
Veron also addressed concerns regarding team dynamics: “There were reports of problems in the locker room. I haven’t experienced the locker room at Milanello myself. However, one thing is evident: the significant exclusions that Fonseca decided upon weigh heavily. Keeping Leao and Theo out is a serious matter.” He emphasized that achieving great goals requires harmony among all parties involved: “To reach great milestones—this is something I say as president of a club—there must be complete harmony between players, coach, management, and fans. If even one component is missing, you won’t go far.”
Looking ahead to what Conceicao might do first as manager, Veron suggested he would focus on providing stability: “I think he will try to give certainty to the team. The structure of the group that goes onto the pitch should always be the same; that’s my idea. This means having a base formation to work with. Once things are on track, then you can think about making changes for rest or rotation ahead of important matches.”
As for Milan’s title aspirations this season? Veron cautioned against overreaching expectations: “Let’s not rush things; those ahead are flying high. The important thing is to enter Champions League territory.”
