Touted candidate keen on Milan job, insight on future of key trio

Sergio Conceicao is reportedly keen on the AC Milan job, amid speculation continuing to link him with being appointed as Stefano Pioli’s successor this summer.

The Rossoneri have been tipped to make important changes at the end of the season, including the appointment of a new coach to open up a new cycle after an underwhelming campaign this year.

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While we impressed in a 5-1 win over Cagliari this weekend, there has been a growing sense for some time now that the club is in need of fresh ideas and energy as we’ve struggled to compete for major honours, and there is a general consensus in the media that Milan will make a change on the bench this summer.

According to Sky Sport Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio, as per MilanNews, as speculation continues to heavily link him with being the top target for Milan management, Conceicao wants to make the move to Milan and his agent, Jorge Mendes, is pushing for that deal to materialise.

However, it remains to be seen if his split with Porto can be agreed and if indeed he reaches an agreement on personal terms with Milan, and so while that window is open, it remains to be seen if other candidates emerge and begin to become a more realistic option with the likes of Paulo Fonseca, Roberto De Zerbi and Antonio Conte explicitly named.

It’s a significant decision that the Milan hierarchy can’t afford to get wrong, as it will ultimately shape the direction in which we go in, as we look to increase our level and become increasingly competitive moving forward.

With that in mind, it would arguably make most sense to make important decisions regarding the construction of the squad with the new man when he’s in charge, and it seems as though the first port of call will be to determine the futures of some key players.

Di Marzio went on to add that the expectation is that Rafael Leao will remain, but amid contract renewal talks with Theo Hernandez and Mike Maignan, it remains to be seen if agreements can be reached with the influential Milan duo.

Ideally, we’d keep our best players at the club this summer and build around them with individuals that suit our new coach’s ideas and style of play, assuming that he’s keen on keeping them in the group too.

However, if a financial sacrifice is needed or if the players in question wish to leave, particularly if renewal terms can’t be agreed, then time will tell how Milan deal with that and ensure we are as strong, or perhaps stronger, without them in the long run.