AC Milan sack Pioli, set to employ Fonseca

Reports from Italy say Milan will sack Stefano Pioli after his final game against Salernitana on Saturday.

According to Calciomercato’s Milan reporter Daniele Longo, Pioli was told of the decision on Wednesday afternoon after agent Valerio Giuffrida visited the club headquarters.

This follows several rumours leading to endless speculation over who will be in charge next season.

It’s not surprising to many that Paulo Fonseca is widely expected to be his replacement for several weeks.

If the club management eventually confirms this, the fans and players can give him a proper goodbye at San Siro in the last match of the campaign, having already secured second place finish.

What will now be left is how Milan would work out Pioli’s details, as he is under contract until June 2025. Some details remain to be worked out, such as whether he wishes to find another job this summer or if Milan must continue paying his salary.

Milan gave the 58-year-old former Fiorentina manager the job in October 2019 after the sack of Marco Giampaolo and took the Rossoneri to an unexpected Scudetto victory in 2021-22.

Having led Diavolo to the Champions League semi-final last season, this disappointing campaign proved the final straw for his Milan career.

In a related development, Fonseca has verbally agreed on the contract terms with Milan. This means he’s a step away from taking over from Pioli.

This reportedly brings to an end the long search for a new head coach as they prepare to replace Pioli after five years at the helm.

It would be challenging for Fonseca if Milan could sack a manager who secured a second-place finish in Serie A due to the failure to progress in the Champions League and keep up with Inter in the title race.

Other managers linked to the job include Julen Lopetegui, Sergio Conceicao, and Mark van Bommel.

Fonseca became a leading candidate, having impressed with Lille, and his experience at Roma also proved to be a key factor.

According to Daniele Longo of Calciomercato.com, Fonseca will be given a three-year contract worth around €3m net per season and is now just a step away from becoming the club’s next head coach.