Despite the fact we are still in the January transfer window and only just in the second half of the 2023-24 season, rumours continue to swirl about AC Milan’s plans for the summer.
This morning’s edition of Tuttosport (via PianetaMilan) reports that an exciting end to the season and winning the Europa League could be enough for Stefano Pioli to keep his job as head coach, but a separation remains more likely.
In terms of candidates to replace him, Antonio Conte is divisive with even the Milan management split on the idea of hiring someone with an impressive CV but a complicated temperament and a big salary.
That is why Thiago Motta remains in pole position to take over Pioli starting from the next year, as we reported many weeks ago. The Italian-Brazilian coach is liked for his style of play, his flexibility and his ability to develop young players.
Bringing him to the Rossoneri could also prove to be an ‘assist’ in the negotiation for Joshua Zirkzee, Milan’s number one target to strengthen the attack in the next summer transfer window.
However, if Milan wanted to focus heavily on Motta (and therefore Zirkzee) they would have to hurry. In fact, many clubs have already noticed the qualities of the coach and the striker, including Barcelona.
Three clowns…
if not conte. Pioli would be better off staying
So you Motta is not good enough? A coach that held a draw with you and also Inter (that beat you 5-0). I don’t know where this Pioli staying back (sentiment) is coming from. If he’s asked to continue for another season, it’s the same set of (you) people that will cry #pioliout when the season starts with this same result, and by then we will have no option than to manage till end of season.
I have zero tolerance for people who fear the future so much that they decide to be stagnant.
For me Motta will still be a decent choice. We all seen the maximum limit, the top ceiling of Pioli. And sadly it’s simply not enough for a club like Milan. On the other hand, coaches like Motta hasn’t even reached his true potential level. Who knows what kind of level he can achieve. Still a gamble after all, but a more logical one.
How many games did Motta win in his last 5? Let’s wait and see where bologna finish at the end of the season before making quick decisions.
Bologna with inferior squad dominated against Milan and were very close to winning the match (if Zirkzee hadn’t blasted the ball into the stands at close range). I’d say Motta won the battle against Pioli 100-0.
Also… No one would claim Bologna had better players than Inter but still Inter couldn’t beat them. Sure, Bologna doesn’t win every match but they can match (and sometimes beat) better teams (on paper that is). And that is thanks to their coach.
I must admit that I was pretty surprised to see how they built up their play against us last match. Organized and effective. Then again, if we really want to compare, let’s compare with how Motta performs at Bologna vs. how Pioli performed at the likes of Fiorentina, Lazio, or even his Bologna.
Bologna’s attacking plays had ideas and the midfield knew what to do with the ball and how to hurt Milan’s defense. I honestly can’t remember when I’ve last seen Milan play like that. Even if we swapped the Bologna midfield with ours Bologna would still be the one with more creative attacks. Why? Because the coach.
They should hire Alonso from Bayer levakusen.
Agree but he is more likely to go to another club he played for. It would have been very interesting if he did coach Milan though.
yeah Milan beat them and drew the second time around. I think you are overhyping the results as well. Milan has been throwing away games for draws this season and this is especially true for the 2-2 draw with Bologna. Milan should have won this game by 4 goals to 1.
Yeah Motta is not the right coach, he is just starting out and the pressure of Milan is right now larger than what should be allowed for a coach who is so young in their career. I think conte isn’t the person as well. I personally think Klopp is perfect but the only two reasons he doesn’t come in is because of the pay and the stress of managing this team.
Don’t underestimate the expectations set for the new coach. He will have to improve on the attacking approach Milan is playing with. He will have to achieve titles in the league and Europe. This was not the case when Pioli fist came. So it isn’t right to expect the new coach to be so fresh like Motta. The expectation and pressure can easily ruin this man or any coach who is young. Look at Giampaolo, that poor man isn’t able to replicate his approach with any team after Sampdoria and I believe he lost faith in his approach after coming to Milan.
Motta has played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, pressure isn’t going to be a problem for him. Giampaolo isn’t a good comparison, he was nothing as a player and had been coaching for almost 15 years before he took the Milan job. After 15 years, any decent coach would know how to deal with pressure.
Thiago motta is a top coach? What trophy he brought for bologna? The teams quality and mentality is getting worse and worse everyday. The management shows incompetent and we need a change again…
Bring back m&m and bring winning mentality coach not some random
Because last season with M&M Milan won the Scudetto?? NO, we finished 5th.
Stop….
Most of the players that are stars in this Milan that finished 4th by the way they were bought and chose by m&m . Second they worked with less than they gave to moncada and moncada choices make us third and we are gonna finish 3rd . While maldini choices brought us the scudetto so..
Stop you know I’m right bro…
These delusional Maldini apologists 🤦♂️
Better Klopp than Conte. But, i like Nice coach, Francesco Farioli, to replace Pioli end of this season.
If not de zerbi or italiano , better keep pioli but dont renew his contract ( expire at june 2025)
Has anyone asked Thiago if he is even interested in the Milan job?
Ok guys,
First of all, what Milan needs right now is not necessarily a top coach who has won everything, we need a coach who can effectively dictate a style of play and a defined pattern of football.
Winning the league with Pioli in his first full season in charge shows this, despite having never won a trophy as a coach, but because he was able to play a good brand of football and with some bit of luck (Inter loss) we won the league. But unfortunately he got figured out and he lacks flexibility, hence our challenge began.
I still feel, with a proper DM or a more physical double pivot partner like Kessie (I think Kessie hasn’t been effectively replaced) and a proper RW (Move Pulisic to AM) and a prolific CF, and with a good coach with a defined attacking style of football, we can definitely challenge for titles.
Looking at titles won in a coach’s CV may not represent current realities as the game is evolving at a high pace. With Mourinho’s impressive CV, he has been booted unceremoniously in his last three clubs but look at Postecoglou doing a fantastic job at Tottenham, and he hadn’t won any trophies.
Personally, my choice would be between Gasperini, De Zerbi and Thiago Motta. And all these three coaches haven’t won any trophies, but have defined playing styles.
My preferred would have been Gasperini because he knows the league more, but I feel Leao may suffer in his formation setups, De Zerbi and Motta look more suitable for him, then my pick will be De Zerbi.
I agree, a CDM is a must, as we must look to control games more