Final Details Missing as Milan Set to Appoint New Manager

After wild speculation over Stefano Pioli’s potential successor at Milan, the Serie A runners-up have made their choice. As per Gazzetta dello Sport, Lille boss Paulo Fonseca will soon touch down at San Siro to sign a contract. 

Despite recent rumors linking Milan with a move for Roberto De Zerbi, the ex-Sassuolo coach will not realize his childhood dream of becoming the Rossoneri manager. Or at least not yet. The Italian left Brighton by mutual consent, leading the media in Italy to name him a top candidate to fill the vacancy. 

One would say it’s a match made in heaven. De Zerbi is a lifelong Milan fan. He knows in-depth about Italian football culture and has an admirable track record, not to mention his eye-appealing game philosophy. However, Fonseca has apparently won the race, and God knows why.

Since being rebuffed by Julen Lopetegui, Milan have examined numerous other options. But no manager has been as sought by the San Siro hierarchy as Fonseca, even though his previous Serie A experience with Roma didn’t go well. After failing to steer the Giallorossi to a top-four finish during his two-year tenure, he left the Stadio Olimpico in 2021.

Fonseca’s reputation has soared in Ligue 1 as his Lille side could reach next season’s Champions League through qualifying after a fourth-place finish. That’s hardly enough to make the Milan fans happy, as they’ve been desperate for De Zerbi to take over. Whether the Rossoneri can expect a backlash from their loyal faithful remains to be seen.