Portuguese journalist offers update on Milan-Conceicao situation: 'He will be ready'

AC Milan are getting closer to the end of their chase for a new manager, and it seems their preferred candidate is becoming a more concrete possibility. Today, a Portuguese journalist has offered an update on the situation between the club and Sergio Conceicao.

With Stefano Pioli set to leave at the end of the season, Milan are entering a new era, and on several occasions, they have dipped their toe into it, without fully submitting to the insecurities that it provides.

Across his five years in charge of the club, Pioli has been linked with losing his job, but he has always remained, even if the Rossoneri evaluated a few candidates. This time, though, there are no doubts, and the 58-year-old will leave.

After several months of evaluations, the Diavolo have seemingly found their man, again. Originally, Julen Lopetegui had been the expected replacement, but after backlash, the management deferred and now will attempt to bring Conceicao to the club.

With the information about Milan’s interest, MilanNews spoke to Portuguese journalist Francisco Sebe.

Sergio Conceição has become a strong candidate for the Milan bench. What is the current situation? We know of a contract until 2028…
“The information circulating – and passed on by outgoing president Pinto da Costa – is that the renewal signed by Sérgio Conceição can be cancelled at no cost to FC Porto and the coach himself, now that André Villas-Boas has taken over as president of the club. Therefore, if the parties understand that it is better to follow different paths, there should be no obstacles.”

Do you think Conceição’s cycle at Porto is over?
“It is difficult to answer that. Only after the announced meeting between Sérgio Conceição and Villas-Boas will it be possible to draw conclusions. The new president has a different project than the one that has been in place at the club until now and we will have to see if it is in line with Conceição’s intentions.”

What can you tell us about Conceição’s style of play over the past seven years?
“Sérgio Conceição has always shown himself to be a supporter of the classic 4-4-2, with a pair of strikers (one more mobile, which in recent seasons was Taremi) and a double pivot in midfield. However, especially this season, he has already shown himself to be tactically flexible. Since January, Porto has been playing with the 4-2-3-1 or the 4-3-3, maintaining a non-negotiable principle in all circumstances: aggressiveness with and without the ball, not giving up any play. This is his trademark.”

Do you think Milan could be a club for Conceição?
“Being a Porto coach is synonymous with working with the constant pressure of becoming a champion. Sérgio Conceição likes this pressure environment and he is an ambitious coach. So I think that if he follows the path of AC Milan, he will be ready to take up the challenges that come his way.”

What is the opinion the press and fans have of Conceição?
“For what he has done over the past seven years, Sérgio Conceição is almost unanimously admired by Porto fans. The season that is now coming to an end has not gone in the best of ways and has raised some voices of protest, but the balance is frankly positive: he has become the coach with the most titles won with the club (10), including three championships.”

Before Conceição, AC Milan sought out a former Porto coach, Julen Lopetegui…
“Lopetegui had a somewhat inglorious period at Porto, without winning titles, despite some pleasing football in his first season.”