In a surprising turn of events, AC Milan announced the appointment of Sérgio Paulo Marceneiro da Conceição as the men’s team’s new head coach, taking over from Paulo Fonseca, who was fired on Monday after just six months in charge of the team. The 50-year-old Portuguese tactician has signed a contract which will bind him to the club until June 30, 2026.
Conceição is no stranger to success, having spent the last seven years at Porto where he built a reputation as the club’s most successful manager, winning three league titles, four Portuguese Cups, a League Cup and three Super Cups. His departure from Porto in June came as a shock, especially after he recently extended his contract just two months before.
AC Milan’s decision to part ways with Fonseca follows a frustrating period where the team stagnated in eighth place in Serie A, after just two wins in their last seven league matches. The Rossoneri’s latest disappointment came in a 1-1 draw against a struggling AS Roma, further highlighting the inconsistencies plaguing the team.
Read more:
Milan announces the signing of Portuguese coach Sérgio Conceição until June 2026
Fonseca, who was brought in to replace Stefano Pioli last June, faced monumental expectations upon his arrival. His predecessor had secured a league title during his successful five-year tenure, and Fonseca was tasked with putting the team back into a competitive position. However, it was a poor start to the season, with draws against Torino and Lazio, coupled with a defeat against promoted Parma.
Despite a resounding 4-0 win over Venezia and a notable victory over Inter Milan, the team struggled to find an optimal rhythm. A disastrous start to the Champions League campaign, with back-to-back defeats to Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen, increased the pressure, although they managed to put together an impressive four-game winning run, including a resounding win over Real Madrid .
Read more:
Cole Palmer’s market value surpasses £100m as Chelsea aim for transfer gains
As AC Milan embark on a new chapter under Conceição’s leadership, fans will be eager to see if he can restore the club’s past glory and inspire a return to the top places in Serie A. With the team eight points behind the top four and 14 points behind leaders Atalanta, the challenge awaiting them is undeniably daunting.
Only time will tell if Sérgio Conceição can successfully navigate these tumultuous waters, but one thing is certain: the Rossoneri’s fervent fan base will be hoping for a quick turnaround.
