Candidate emerges as latest potential Pioli successor option for Milan

Speculation continues to link AC Milan with replacing Stefano Pioli this summer, and Mark van Bommel is reportedly emerging as a possible successor.

As per Fabrizio Romano last month, the expectation is that the Rossoneri will replace Pioli at the end of the season, with the Italian tactician continuing to face questions over his future as the campaign draws to a close.

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It’s been an underwhelming year for Milan, and that in turn has played a key part in the potential decision from the club’s hierarchy, with a new cycle perhaps set to be opened this summer.

While various names have been paired with the job in recent weeks, Antonio Vitiello now notes that Van Bommel’s name is gaining traction as he has emerged as a realistic option for Milan, while Paulo Fonseca remains heavily involved in considerations at this stage too.

Van Bommel, 47, of course spent time at Milan as a player between 2011 and 2012, establishing himself as a key figure in our midfield as we went on to win the Scudetto during his time at San Siro.

That followed successful stints at PSV, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and he’s taken those experiences and knowledge with him into his coaching career having enjoyed success with Royal Antwerp.

The Dutchman also had a positive spell with PSV as coach, but sandwiched in between was a forgettable stint at Wolfsburg. He has certainly shown promise on the bench though and has seemingly caught the attention of Milan’s management team.

Whether he’s experienced enough or has achieved enough in his career thus far to deserve such a big step up for the Milan job is debatable, but it’s a decision that the club will make and hopefully it proves to be the right one for us moving forward.

A new coach isn’t expected to be officially named until after the season ends, and so it promises to be an interesting period to see who emerges as the most realistic option, with several names already being touted as the top contender with Van Bommel the latest to move his way up the speculative list.