AC Milan Parts Ways with Coach Paulo Fonseca Following Underwhelming Performance
AC Milan has officially dismissed coach Paulo Fonseca, according to reports following the team’s lackluster performance in Serie A this season. The Portuguese manager’s departure comes after the club managed only a draw against AS Roma, which marked their sixth stalemate of the season and left them in seventh place—eight points behind Lazio, who are holding down the fourth and final Champions League spot, and a significant 12 points behind city rivals Inter, who are in title contention.
Fonseca had anticipated the outcome, revealing that he had been informed of his termination as he exited the San Siro following a press conference about the recent match. In a statement, AC Milan expressed gratitude for the professionalism Fonseca displayed during his tenure and wished him well in his future endeavors.
In the wake of Fonseca’s exit, Sergio Conceicao is poised to take over the coaching role. Having recently concluded a seven-year stint at Porto, the 50-year-old brings Serie A experience as both a former player and coach.
Throughout his time with Milan, Fonseca faced challenges, including public disagreements with key players and concerns regarding the team’s commitment levels. Notably, he clashed with standout winger Rafael Leao and made controversial decisions, such as benching renowned France international Theo Hernandez in favor of a much younger academy player during a lackluster goalless draw against Genoa earlier this month.
The atmosphere among Milan’s fanbase has been turbulent, with supporters expressing their dissatisfaction with the club’s management. Fans made headlines after vocally protesting against the owners, US investment fund RedBird, during the club’s 125th-anniversary celebration on December 21. The event, which was marred by poor on-field performances, also saw the absence of Milan legend Paolo Maldini, further fueling discontent among supporters. Many fans voiced their frustrations through chants demanding a change in ownership, holding up banners with messages that suggested a lack of ambition from the current leadership.
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