AC Milan Sack Fonseca, Appoint Conceicao

AC Milan has officially terminated the contract of head coach Paulo Fonseca after less than six months at the helm. The decision follows a string of inconsistent results that have left the Rossoneri languishing in eighth place in Serie A, 14 points adrift of leaders Atalanta.

Fonseca, who previously managed Roma and Lille, was appointed in June 2024 with high expectations to build upon Milan's previous successes. However, under his guidance, the team secured only 12 wins in 24 matches, leading to growing dissatisfaction among the club's hierarchy and supporters.

The final straw came after a 1-1 draw against AS Roma, a match that epitomized the team's struggles under Fonseca's leadership. In a brief statement, AC Milan expressed gratitude for Fonseca's professionalism but emphasized the necessity for a change to revive the team's fortunes.

In a swift move, Milan has appointed Sergio Conceicao as the new head coach, with a contract extending until June 2026. Conceicao, renowned for his successful tenure at FC Porto where he secured multiple domestic titles, brings a wealth of experience and a reputation for tactical acumen. His immediate challenge will be to galvanize a squad that has underperformed and to close the gap on the league leaders.

Conceicao's debut match is slated against Juventus in the Supercoppa Italiana, adding immediate pressure to deliver results. Notably, this fixture will see him face his son, Francisco Conceicao, who plays for Juventus, adding a personal subplot to an already high-stakes encounter.

The managerial change comes amid unrest among Milan supporters, who have recently directed protests towards the club's ownership, expressing concerns over the team's direction and performance. The appointment of Conceicao is seen as a decisive effort by the club to address these issues and to reestablish Milan's status as a dominant force in Italian football.