This time was good. After flirting for a long time with AC Milan last summer, finding himself on the short list of Lombard leaders before being overtaken at the last minute by his compatriot Paulo Fonseca, Sergio Conceiçao finally got what he wanted: sit on the bench of a prestigious and historic club. If the Portuguese technician, appointed Monday, inherits a difficult situation, between a ranking to climb in Serie A (8th) and above all a group to unite, nothing seemed to be able to make him refuse this possibility. Not even the contract on the table, officially for a period of a year and a half (June 2026), but unofficially for six months and an option to extend a season in favor of the Milanese club. “It's impossible to say no to a club like Milan“, he admitted Tuesday during his presentation conference. A time announced to return to FC Nantes, Conceiçao finally found a luxury rebound.
“He is a very direct person, with characterwelcomed Zlatan Ibrahimovic, direct advisor to club owner Gerry Cardinale. Sergio is a winner. He has already had the experience of inheriting a team in the middle of a season and it worked very well. He had great results with Porto. As soon as he arrived, he wanted the team to come and work at Milanello. We will put him in the best conditions so that he does the best possible.”
“I am proud and happy to be hereI recognize Conceiçao. It’s a step forward in my career and that of my staff. We must now respect the values of this club and work to live up to Milan. If I'm here, something went wrong. But there is no time to lament, there is no excuse (…) For me, football is simple: there is a goal where you must score, and another where you must not not cash it. For me, dominant play comes down to results. Possession of the ball, tiki taka: for me, tiki taka is putting the ball in the goal.” Simple and straightforward. No “fuss” with Conceiçao, well aware of the urgency of the situation and the scale of the task facing him. Especially since his first match doesn't really look like it will be fun.
Father vs son
Barely arrived, already gone. Landing in Milanello on Monday, the former coach of Nantes and Porto, who slept at the training center for his first night, flew with his players on Tuesday to Saudi Arabia, where the Super Cup is being played. Italy new version. Forgotten the format with a simple final between the winner of the championship and that of the Italian Cup, but now places the Spanish model, with four teams entered, two semi-finals and a grand final. The day after the clash between Inter Milan and Atalanta Bergamo, AC Milan faces Juventus Turin (8 p.m.) this Friday evening. And as destiny wanted to be playful, it therefore pits Sergio Conceiçao and Francisco Conceiçao, his son, who joined Piedmont last summer against each other. But there is no question of feeling for the father.
“At the professional level, Francisco is an opponenthe warned after training him in Porto. He also thinks the same thing. And I want him to think like that, he was raised that way. But at home, he's my son. It's normal, it's like that for all parents I think. What if I got him on the phone? I have five children, so I have news every day.” So much the better. He will therefore have followed his son's epics in Turin. And the new Milanese coach will therefore be aware that the danger risks arriving on his right side. Because if Thiago Motta's Juventus is having a very strange season (11 draws and 7 wins in Serie A, 6th place), Francisco Conceiçao, on loan from Porto, is one of the great satisfactions to the point that his definitive transfer at the end of the season is beyond doubt.
Juve's little joy
“Our relationship with the player and his agent is very goodwelcomed Piedmont sports director Cristiano Giuntoli three weeks ago. We absolutely want him to stay with us and that's what he wants too. He will stay here 100%.” “His future is at Juventus. He is very happy to be there and the club is also happy with him. This will be a relationship that will continue for a long time“, assured Jorge Mendes, his agent. Loaned for 7 million euros (excluding bonus), Conceiçao could stay for compensation of around 30 million according to the transalpine press, which assures that a verbal agreement already exists with Porto.
Standing at 1.70 meters tall, the Portuguese wisp has scored three goals and provided five assists in 19 matches this season. Technically skilled, tactically intelligent, the Portuguese international impresses with his ease in eliminating his direct opponent. In a short time, he became the Old Lady's real detonator. The X factor, difficult to channel and capable of changing a match with a single action.
“He’s a player who always has a smileenthused Thiago Motta. He always has a great desire to train. He is a very strong and very important element of our squad (…) I am happy to see what he shows on the pitch, in matches and in training. He infects others on a daily basis with his desire to play, and empowers his teammates with his professionalism. For me, it is a great privilege to be able to coach a player like him.” “I don't know what my future will be, but I'm happy hererecently assured the main person concerned. Anything can happen, we'll see.” And if ever doubt persists, he can always give his father a call.
