Cardinale surprised by Lopetegui response and not indifferent – the latest

It would be fair to say that the news of Julen Lopetegui emerging as the favourite candidate to take over at AC Milan has brought about a passionate response.

As Tuttosport (via MilanNews) write this morning, the name of Lopetegui has split Milan in two. On the one hand there is the club who chose the Spaniard as the new coach for the next season, on the other the fans who have immediately sparked their protests against his possible arrival.

Gerry Cardinale was ‘surprised by the reaction of the AC Milan fans’ as per the report, and ‘not indifferent’ to the rather vocal expression of disapproval that came about on social media, like the petition against him titled ‘NOPEtegui’.

While the former Real Madrid and Spain boss has dispelled all the doubts from the management – which includes the trio of Giorgio Furlani, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Geoffrey Moncada – the owner has been forced to slam on the brakes.

There is a three-year deal worth €4m net per season on the table for Lopetegui but only Cardinale will be able to give the green light to close the deal, having been ‘caught off guard’ but the negative response of the fans.

What about the alternatives? Antonio Conte is not being considered, while Thiago Motta is but Juventus have a clear advantage. Francesco Farioli of OGC Nice, Mark van Bommel of Antwerp, Paulo Fonseca of Lille, Marco Rose of RB Leipzig and Sergio Conceicao of Porto remain on the list.

There is now a state of reflection going on at Casa Milan while they evaluate other options, they know well that the choice of coach is fundamental for the short and long-term future of Milan, so they want to get it right.