Milan Ponder Belgian National Team and Antwerp Coaches

Milan owner Gerry Cardinale has invited the executives to propose a few candidates to replace Stefano Pioli in the dugout. He’ll hear them out before making the call directly. Giovanni Tedesco and Mark Van Bommel are the latest coaches attached to the opening.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Rossoneri prefer a younger manager but already with top-level experience. The Belgium gaffer is 38. He has helmed Schalke 04, Spartak Moscow, RB Leipzig, winning the DFB-Pokal for the first time in their history, before his current job. He’s under contract with the Federation until 2026.

Per FootMercato, Zlatan Ibrahimovic sponsors Van Bommel. The two played together for 18 months at Milan. After hanging his cleats, he got his start on the bench as an assistant with the Netherlands U-17, Saudi Arabia, PSV U-19 and Australia, under Bert van Marwijk before taking over PSV, Wolfsburg, and finally Antwerp as a head coach.

He finished second in his first stint in the Eredivisie and was sacked after 17 games in his second campaign. Instead, he lasted nine rounds in Germany. The former midfielder bounced back in Belgium, winning the league last season. His side is currently fourth.

Our Take on Milan, Tedesco and Van Bommel

There’s nothing wrong with a long-term approach and the desire to open a new cycle, but there’s no need to think too much outside the box. With a fine coach and a pair of select additions, they’ll be in position to challenge Inter.