MILAN Sad, lonely and (maybe) final. Stefano Pioli now risks big: his story with Milan, which began in October 2019, seems closer to the end credits. A decision will only be made at the end of the season, but since Thursday his chances of confirmation have drastically dropped. The “key week”, to use the words of CEO Furlani, opened as badly as it could have: not only was the team eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, the last remaining goal of the season, but it did so by losing badly at the Olimpico against a Roma team that proved to be better in everything. Monday is the truth derby who in the event of defeat could hand the Scudetto to Inter: there was no worse way to get there. It was an authentic football lesson, with the Parma coach clearly losing the match against his colleague De Rossi, as in the first leg. Nothing about the comeback plan worked. With the result that the vast majority of fans now demand the coach’s head, considered the main cause of a year with zero trophies. Qualifying for the next Champions League? It was the minimum goal.
“Be patient a little longer, then we’ll talk to the club” Pioli commented bitterly inside the Olimpico. After the 7 consecutive victories had strengthened the company’s original idea of confirming it, the last very dark week risks having completely distorted the scenarios. Although the evaluation will be broader. The derby? Everything must be done to avoid the sixth consecutive knockout, also to give meaning to the end of the season, but it will not shift the balance on the future of the bench.
Pioli, why yes and why not
The choice will only be made at the end of the season, that’s the message that filters through
with strength from Casa Milan. The decision will be made by the patron Cardinale with president Scaroni, the super consultant Ibrahimovic, the CEO Furlani and the director Moncada. Mitigating and aggravating circumstances will be placed on the table, as is right. Starting from a basic point: Pioli still has one year left on his contract, so it means that an agreement should be found, unless he chooses to change team (Napoli?). If he remained, the expiring contract would not be a problem for the owners. Pioli’s mitigating circumstances? First of all, the revolution of summer 2023, with many new players who needed time to integrate. Now the squad will only be perfected. And a coach who already knows the environment and maturation processes would objectively be an advantage. Among the aggravating factors, the widespread sensation of being at the end of a cycle.
Who after Pioli
And what if you ultimately opt for the change? The truth is that to date a name has not yet been identified. But the profile is very clear: young, innovative, compatible with the technical project, Milan’s De Rossi. Not someone like Conte, so to speak. Klopp would be a dream but unrealistic. Rather, a De Zerbi. Even if in the case of the Brescia player a 15 million clause would have to be paid to Brighton: not a detail. Another interesting name is that of Conceiçao, while on Lopetegui there has been a cooling. For now, however, these are only hypotheses: there is still a month between now and the end of the season. We’ll see.
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