Zlatan Ibrahimovic Teases Next Club Amid AC Milan, Serie A Transfer Talk
Dec 4, 2019
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: Zlatan Ibrahimovic #9 of Los Angeles Galaxy during the MLS Western Conference Semi-final between Los Angeles FC and Los Angeles Galaxy at the Banc of California Stadium on October 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 5-3 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has said he'll join a club in Italy that needs to rediscover its winning ways amid rumours he could rejoin AC Milan.
According to Football Italia, Ibrahimovic has been linked with the Rossoneri as well as Napoli, Roma and Bologna.
The striker told GQ Italia (h/t Corriere della Sera, via Football Italia):
"I will join a club that must get back to winning, that has to renew its history and is in search of a battle against everyone and everything.
"That is the only way I'll be able to find the necessary motivation to surprise you again. It's not just about choosing a team, as there are other factors that need to line up, including in the interests of my family.
Of the clubs he has been linked to, Milan are perhaps the best fit for his description.
Only Real Madrid have won more than Milan's seven European Cups, but the most recent of those came in 2007.
Domestically, major silverware has been similarly scarce of late. The Italian giants have won Serie A just once since 2004, and that was in the 2010-11 season, the first of Ibrahimovic's two campaigns at the club.
Last season's fifth-placed finish under Gennaro Gattuso was their highest since they came third in 2012-13. This season, they're 11th after 14 matches, having collected just 17 points.
Ibrahimovic, who contributed 56 goals and 24 assists in 85 appearances for the Rossoneri, is a free agent having left Major League Soccer outfit Los Angeles Galaxy.
He bagged 53 goals and 15 assists in 58 appearances overall. The club compiled his MLS goals:
Given his age, he's no longer as mobile as he once was, and he may not be able to contribute a great deal outside of the penalty area.
However, as his record in the United States showed—even if the standard of play there is lower than in Serie A—he remains a prolific goalscorer even now.
Milan have scored just 13 goals in 14 Serie A matches. If they're looking for a short-term acquisition to boost their potency in the second half of their season, Ibrahimovic could be a useful asset.
Krzysztof Piatek, Theo Hernandez and Notable Stats for AC Milan from November
Nov 30, 2019
AC Milan's Krzysztof Piatek and AC Milan's Hakan Calhanoglu react at the end of Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Lecce, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Oct.20, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
AC Milan's nightmare month of November is finally over, and the Rossoneri will have the chance to put their misery behind them on Sunday when they face Parma.
The seven-time European champions were only in action three times, losing 2-1 to Lazio and 1-0 to Juventus before securing a 1-1 draw against Napoli. There was some progress made during Stefano Pioli's second month in charge, but Milan's brutal November schedule worked against them.
The side only scored a single goal―Lazio's Bastos added a second via an own-goal―courtesy of Giacomo Bonaventura against Napoli. Milan perhaps should have earned more from that match:
Arguably their best outing came in the loss to Juventus, where they dominated large stretches of the match but lacked efficiency:
Krzysztof Piatek was among the biggest disappointments of the month―more on him later―while Bonaventura, Theo Hernandez, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Alessio Romagnoli gave fans reasons for hope.
Hernandez, in particular, has been among the biggest surprises in Serie A this season, and he had another solid stretch of matches. The 22-year-old never made the grade at Real Madrid and didn't fully convince at Real Sociedad, either, but he finally seems have put things together at the San Siro.
A regular at left-back, he has usurped Ricardo Rodriguez in the pecking order, and it wouldn't be a surprise if the Swiss speedster opted to leave the club at some point in the near future.
Here are some key stats from November's action.
Striker Goals: 0
Piatek found the back of the net once this month, while away on international duty for Poland against Israel. For Milan, he started all three matches in November with nothing to show for it.
Perhaps the biggest breakout star of the 2018-19 campaign, the current season has been a nightmare for the 24-year-old. He has scored three goals in 11 Serie A appearances and none in his last five outings.
Things have gotten so bad, he's already the topic of transfer speculation, per football writer Simon Phillips:
Sport Mediaset say Chelsea could be one of the teams interested in taking Krzysztof Piatek on loan.
Rafael Leao has shown flashes of tremendous potential this season, but in limited minutes, he too failed to do much in November. There's a strong possibility he will get more opportunities in December when Milan don't face some of the toughest teams in Serie A.
Points: 1
Milan showed what they're capable of at times in November, impressing against Juventus until Paulo Dybala broke their hearts after 77 minutes. Romagnoli was a rock in the defence during that match, but he also let La Joya wrong-foot him too easily, summing up how the season has played out for the Rossoneri so far.
Pioli's troops lack a killer instinct, as well as consistency. Too often they fail to make the most of their chances and momentum, and it has cost them time and time again.
After all the promise of the Juventus match, things again fell flat against Napoli, per Football Italia's Vijay Rahaman:
For all of their solid play this month, Milan came away with just a single point, dropping to 13th place in the standings. The team is slowly starting to get comfortable with Pioli's style of play, but now the results have to follow.
Fortunately for the Rossoneri, the December schedule looks a lot kinder than November's. Parma, Bologna and Sassuolo all sit well outside the European spots, and Atalanta have cooled off after their hot start, going winless in their last four Serie A matches.
Report: Moise Kean's Agent Contacts AC Milan Ahead of Potential January Transfer
Nov 12, 2019
Everton's Moise Kean controls the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park in Liverpool, England, Sunday, Sept 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
Moise Kean's agent Mino Raiola has reportedly reached out to AC Milan to discuss a potential January move for the Everton striker.
According to Calciomercato's Apollo Heyes, Raiola is unhappy with the Toffees over the youngster's lack of playing time. Milan were interested in the 19-year-old in the summer, but Juventus opted to sell him to Everton instead.
The move hasn't worked out so far, with Kean starting just two Premier League matches. He was dropped from the squad completely for the win over Southampton because he was late for a team meeting, per theBBC.
Bleacher Report's Matt Jones couldn't believe the decision:
Kean has yet to score since moving to England, falling well short of expectations early in his Everton career. He bagged six Serie A goals in 13 appearances for Juventus last season, despite only starting five matches.
The teenager is regarded as one of the top attacking talents in Europe, but there have been some questions over his mentality relating to his tardiness. He and AS Roma's Nicolo Zaniolo weredroppedfrom the national team for being late during the Under-21 European Championship this summer
Squawka'sChris Smithanalysed Kean's data and came to the conclusion Marco Silva is not using the talent properly by not letting him act as the main scoring threat in the centre of the pitch. In that role, he was most effective for Juventus, using his combination of athleticism, skill and vision:
It seems unlikely Everton would give up on the youngster just half a season after bringing him in, especially considering he was their marquee signing this summer.Sport Witnesspointed at the strong relationship between Raiola and Everton director Marcel Brands, who should be able to hash things out before a split is considered.
Milan would present an odd destination for Kean, who needs playing time to develop and would find that just as hard to come by at the San Siro as he does at Goodison Park.
Krzysztof Piatek is Milan's top striker after scoring 22 Serie A goals during the last campaign, and summer signing Rafael Leao has been one of the highlights of their disappointing season so far.
The Rossoneri sit in 14th place in the Serie A standings and will likely be in the market for instant-impact reinforcements in January.
Paolo Rossi Says Zlatan Ibrahimovic 'Cannot Solve' AC Milan's Problems
Nov 10, 2019
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: Zlatan Ibrahimovic #9 of Los Angeles Galaxy during the MLS Western Conference Semi-final between Los Angeles FC and Los Angeles Galaxy at the Banc of California Stadium on October 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 5-3 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
Former AC Milan and Italy striker Paolo Rossi does not feel Zlatan Ibrahimovic would be a worthwhile signing for the club.
Ibrahimovic, who played for the Rossoneri between 2010 and 2012, is set to leave Los Angeles Galaxy when his contract expires at the end of the year, prompting much talk about his next destination.
"I don't know if he's likely to come back. He is a player who has had an extraordinary career, but he cannot solve Milan's problems.
"They put a patch on one hole but the water comes out of many others. He would not be an investment useful for the future but only for the next six months. So what's the use? Yes, he can give the team something, but Milan have many problems."
Quotes from Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber recently sparked talk of the Swede moving back to Milan:
However, per SBI Soccer's Ives Galarcep, Garber denied making such comments:
Don Garber clarifies that he never made a comment attributed to him in the Italian media that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is heading to AC Milan. Says Galaxy+Zlatan still talking #MLS
Ibrahimovic scored 56 goals and assisted 24 in 85 appearances for Milan in two seasons with the club. He initially joined on loan from Barcelona before moving to the club on a permanent basis.
The Rossoneri won Serie A in his first campaign at the San Siro, the only time they've won the title since 2004.
They've struggled in the years since Ibrahimovic left, having failed to finish in the top four for the last six seasons running.
Milan are 14th this season, having accrued just 13 points from their first 11 matches.
As GianlucaDiMarzio.com's David Amoyal observed, they're falling short of how they performed last season:
With Gattuso in charge, Milan lost 8 matches during all of the 2018/19 campaign over 38 games, so for this season Milan has lost 6 times in just 11 matches- can be we give Rino some credit? I focused way too much on the flaws of a young manager when analyzing him
The Rossoneri have scored just 11 goals, too. Despite being 38, Ibrahimovic contributed 53 goals and 15 assists in 58 games for the Galaxy.
While he may only be a short-term fix, he could still be a useful asset to his former club by improving their potency in the final third.
However, as Rossi noted, it's clear there are many more problems at the San Siro than Ibrahimovic's arrival would resolve.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber: Zlatan Ibrahimovic Is Being Recruited by AC Milan
Nov 7, 2019
Sweden's biggest football star, Los Angeles Galaxy's forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, attends a press conference ahead of the unveiling of a 2,7 m bronze statue of him on October 8, 2019 near the stadium where he made his professional debut in his hometown of Malmo in southern Sweden. (Photo by Johan NILSSON / TT News Agency / AFP) / Sweden OUT (Photo by JOHAN NILSSON/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images)
The move, if eventually completed, would see Ibrahimovic return to AC Milan for a second stint. He joined the Serie A club on loan from Barcelona in 2010 and made the move permanent the following season.
Ibrahimovic's contract with the LA Galaxy expires in December, and he has been linked with a return to Europe after a successful season in MLS ended on Oct. 24:
A number of Italian clubs have expressed an interest in his services. Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis said it would be his "wish to see him in Napoli colours" but added that "it depends on him," per Sky Sport Italia (h/t Joe Wright of Goal).
Bologna director Walter Sabatini told TuttoMercatoWeb (h/tFootball Italia) that Ibrahimovic was keen to join his club because of his relationship with manager Sinisa Mihajlovic. The Serb was an assistant at Inter Milan during the Swede's tenure with the Nerazzurri.
"Zlatan Ibrahimovic wants to join us because of his rapport with Sinisa Mihajlovic," he said. "We'll do everything to make this madness happen."
Ibrahimovic's career has taken him to some of the world's biggest clubs, including Barcelona, Juventus, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain. He has enjoyed plenty of success in Serie A.
The striker won league titles during his spells with Juventus, Inter and AC Milan and may feel he can still do a job in a division he knows extremely well.
Ibrahimovic managed a goal every 128 minutes during his two seasons with the Rossoneri and "wants to leave MLS to have a last hurrah in a top European league," per Jose Felix Diaz atMarca.
However, a return to AC Milan would certainly give a much-needed boost tomanager Stefano Pioli, who was appointed a month ago. The Rossoneri are down in 11th place in the table and have managed just four wins in 11 league games in 2019-20.
Football Italia highlighted just how poor their start has been:
The arrival of Ibrahimovic would inject confidence into a struggling squad and would also add an extra attacking threat to a team that has managed just 11 Serie A goals this season.
Theo Hernandez, Hakan Calhanoglu and Notable Stats for AC Milan from October
Nov 1, 2019
ROME, ITALY - OCTOBER 27: Theo Hernandez of AC Milan in aciton during the Serie A match between AS Roma and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on October 27, 2019 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giampiero Sposito/Getty Images)
Suso came off the bench and scored a superb free-kick to earn AC Milan a 1-0 victory over SPAL at the San Siro on Thursday.
Stefano Pioli's first victory since taking over from Marco Giampaolo as manager meant the Rossoneri wrapped up October with two wins, one draw and one defeat in their four Serie A games.
It is an improvement on their September record of three defeats and one victory. But after 10 rounds of the 2019-20 Serie A season, Milan sit 10th in the table, six points off the top four:
At the end of September, Milan were 16th and just one point clear of the relegation spots.
October's results have improved matters somewhat for the Italian giants, but a close look at the statistics still paints a picture of a side in trouble.
After 10 matches of the 2019-20 Serie A season, KrzysztofPiatek is Milan's top scorer with just three goals.
Defender Theo Hernandez is behind him on two after netting a crucial goal in Milan's 2-1 victory over Genoa, which proved to be Giampaolo's last game in charge before he was sacked during the international break:
BREAKING: AC Milan have just announced they have parted company with head coach Marco Giampaolo.
It is a sad state of affairs for a club as prestigious as Milan that the only table of note they head is the disciplinary rankings, with Calabria boasting the distinction of being the only player in Serie A this term to have been sent off twice.
In a desperate search for silver linings, no player has been dismissed for Milan since Pioli took over.
The 54-year-old's first game in charge ended in a 2-2 home draw against Lecce, with Hakan Calhanoglu scoring the first before setting up Piatek for the second.
Hernandez's second goal of the month then came in Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Roma before Suso earned a vital three points on Thursday, netting six minutes after he came on just before the hour:
1 - #Suso has scored his first goal as a substitute in Serie A. News.#MilanSPAL
The biggest issue that needs to be resolved at Milan is goalscoring.
They have netted only 10 times in 10 league games this term, which puts them above only Brescia, SPAL, Verona, Sampdoria and Udinese in the goalscoring rankings.
Defensively, meanwhile, Gianluigi Donnarumma kept a clean sheet against SPAL, his first since September 15. That is a step in the right direction.
It may be a while before he gets another, though, as Milan's next three fixtures are against Lazio, Juventus and Napoli.
AC Milan's Theo Hernandez Says He Was 'Insulted and Criticised' at Real Madrid
Oct 26, 2019
Theo Hernandez said he experienced a tough two-year spell at Real Madrid but feels honoured to have signed for AC Milan this summer.
The left-back explained that Milan technical director Paolo Maldini convinced him to leave Los Blancos and join the rebuilding of the San Siro giants.
Speaking to La Gazzette dello Sport (h/t AS), the Frenchman said he's matured after failing to impress at Real.
"I became known as a bad boy," Hernandez said. "I was insulted and criticised a lot at Real Madrid. I did some stupid things, but I have matured as a person, and I consider myself the playful type who spends a lot of time at home with my dogs and watching tennis on the television."
The defender was part of Atletico Madrid's academy and excelled during a loan spell at Alaves, prompting Real to sign the teenage prodigy.
He was unable to displace Marcelo at the back, however, and slipped down the pecking order before spending last season on loan at Real Sociedad.
The move to Milan should offer Hernandez fresh opportunity after 24 La Liga appearances for Sociedad last term.
The Marseille-born player already has a goal and assist in his opening five Serie A matches for his new team.
The 22-year-old added he's proud to now wear the famous Rossoneri shirt:
"It's an honour. Paolo made football history and not just at Milan, and with me he was very convincing. I didn't take long to accept the offer. I spoke with my agent and immediately we were in agreement.
"The dream is [to] lift the Champions League, but first you have to get there. Now we are far away from the Champions League places. A lot of things happen in football and I don't know how long it will take but the path we are on is the right one."
Milan have spent years struggling in the Italian top flight, and the seven-time European Cup winners came fifth in Serie A last season.
Stefano Pioli's club have not won the Italian title since 2010-11, and they sit 12th in the division after an inconsistent start to the new campaign.
Milan have lost four of their opening eight league games and will find it difficult to earn a qualifying place for next season's Champions League.
Marco Giampaolo Sacked at AC Milan After 3-4 Start to Serie A Campaign
Oct 8, 2019
MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 29: coach Marco Giampaolo of AC Milan during the Italian Serie A match between AC Milan v Fiorentina at the San Siro on September 29, 2019 in Milan Italy (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Soccrates/Getty Images)
AC Milan have sacked manager Marco Giampaolo less than four months into his tenure after a nightmare start to the season.
A statement was issued on the club's website on Tuesday that read:
"AC Milan announces it has relieved Mr. Marco Giampaolo from his position as coach of the first team. The club is grateful to Marco for the work carried out and wishes him all the best to come in his professional career."
According to football journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Rossoneri plan on announcing Stefano Pioli as his replacement:
Marco Giampaolo has been fired by AC Milan. The new manager is going to be Stefano Pioli (former Fiorentina and Inter coach). 🔴 #Milan@SkySport
Giampaolo was announced as Milan manager in June, but his tenure got off to a rocky start on Matchday 1 of the Serie A season. The Rossoneri lost away to Udinese, setting the tone for a poor run.
Two narrow 1-0 wins over Brescia and Verona were followed by three straight losses, and Milan fell behind in their last match ahead of the international break, eventually completing a comeback to beat Genoa 2-1.
With nine points from seven matches, Milan already trail leaders Juventus by 10 points in Serie A and are in 13th place.
ESPN's Matteo Bonetti noted the managerial position has been a revolving door since Massimiliano Allegri left, and how Luciano Spalletti was the front-runner for the job until recently:
Marco Giampaolo’s future seems all but finished with Milan. Another manager, another philosophy. The same old story since Max Allegri was fired. Now it’s Luciano Spalletti who has to rescind his Inter deal to accept Milan’s offer.
Since Allegri's departure in 2014, eight men have managed the club, including Clarence Seedorf, Filippo Inzaghi, Vincenzo Montella and Gennaro Gattuso.
Giampolo was something of a journeyman manager before joining Milan, coaching the likes of Sampdoria, Empoli, Brescia, Cagliari and Siena. Sampdoria sacked Eusebio Di Francesco on Tuesday, opening the door for a possible return for the 52-year-old.
Marco Giampaolo Says He'll Never Resign Despite AC Milan Struggles
Oct 4, 2019
MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Marco Giampaolo of Milan looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 21, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)
AC Milan manager Marco Giampaolo has said he'll never resign from the role despite pressure building following a disappointing start to the club's season.
The Rossoneri sit 16th in Serie A after taking six points from their opening six games. Giampaolo signed a contract until 2021 when he joined the club in June, but there is already speculation the 52-year-old could be replaced.
Speaking toLe Iene(h/t Ben Nagle of MailOnline), he said: "We're working to do better. We were already working at 8 a.m. this morning. You say I work a lot but work badly? We'll find the solution. Resigning? Never! Leaving means giving up, and we never give up."
Milan suffered their third successive league defeat when they lost 3-1 at home to Fiorentina on Sunday, finishing the match with 10 men after central defender Mateo Musacchio was sent off:
The San Siro support targeted criticism at the Milan board following the result, per Milanese journalist Tancredi Palmeri:
Milan fans currently retiring banners from stands while Milan lose 0-2 v Fiorentina and is at 16th of the table, chanting “This ownership doesn’t deserve us”
Giampaolo impressed during his three-year reign at Sampdoria prior to taking over at the San Siro, but the size of the task at hand appears too much based on early evidence. Milan clinched 1-0 wins over promoted Brescia and Hellas Verona, but they've struggled against higher-class competition.
Rossoneri legend Gennaro Gattuso served for 18 months as manager before he stepped down at the end of last season, having guided the team to fifth and just short of a UEFA Champions League spot.
The club's fans would likely jump at the chance to return to that standard, particularly after rivals Inter Milan have enjoyed a revival under Antonio Conte and lead Serie A with a perfect record.
The pressure may be forcing Giampaolo to change his ways after the tactician bucked his own trend against Fiorentina, per OptaPaolo:
Former Inter manager Luciano Spalletti recently told a reporter from TopCalcio24 (h/t Corriere dello Sport, via MailOnline's Leigh McManus) he won't be the man to replace his compatriot.
He said: "I'm coaching Milan? That's wild as I have a contract with Inter. Let Giampaolo work, he is the rising star of Italian football. You should come with me to harvest some grapes, you would have more calluses on your hands and you would do less work…"
Milan will try to end their Serie A rut and climb the standings in their visit to Genoa on Saturday, and their manager intends to fight to the end while he's in the role.
B/R Football Ranks: The Men Who Can Turn Around AC Milan's Awful Season
Oct 3, 2019
From left, AC Milan's Alessio Romagnoli, AC Milan's Theo Hernandez, AC Milan's Ismael Bennacer walk on the pitch at the end of the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Fiorentina, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Life as an AC Milan supporter has not been much fun in recent years. If Manchester United fans think they are in a mess right now, it's worth a glimpse over to Serie A for a vision of how bad things truly can become for a footballing powerhouse.
Milan have won it all—with seven European crowns and 18 Serie A titles as reasons to boast.
But they have not won anything since a domestic league title triumph in 2011, and there is no sign of that changing soon. Despite rays of hope at the beginning of the season, boss Marco Giampaolo is facing the axe after a poor campaign.
This has been their worst start to a domestic term since the 1938/39 season, when they also lost four of their first six matches.
So how can they fix this mess?
With help from our sources, we have ranked the men who could help restore Milan to former glories and asked the views of a couple of Milan experts, too.
5. Andriy Shevchenko
Manchester United have Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Chelsea have Frank Lampard and Real Madrid have Zinedine Zidane. It would be on trend for Milan to ask a legendary player to take over the reins.
ROME, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 01: Paolo Maldini, Andrea Pirlo, Gianluigi Buffon and Andrey Shevchenko before Interreligious Match for Peace at Olimpico Stadium on September 1, 2014 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
Paolo Maldini is already at the club as sporting strategy and development director, and it would certainly bring fresh excitement for another figure of the past to join him. Sources indicate that Shevchenko has already been sounded out through intermediaries about the prospect of taking over.
But Shevchenko, 43, is manager of the Ukraine national team and is under contract until July 2020. Indications are that he would not fancy the move into club management right now.
If they do want to go down the ex-player route, then Milan could always turn back to Gennaro Gattuso, who left them in May.
His reign last season wasn't successful, or particularly pretty, but after narrowly missing out on a Champions League spot, it suddenly seems a better place to be than their current one.
4. Rudi Garcia
In recent days, former Marseille coach Garcia has emerged as a contender to become the next boss, per SportMediaset (h/t Oliver Fisher of Sempre Milan).
Garcia took his last job at a similar time of year—becoming OM coach in October 2016 and eventually leading them to a fifth-placed finish after the club had suffered three early season defeats.
He has experience of Italian football from a spell in charge of Roma, and he would certainly attempt to implement an exciting style of play that individuals might thrive in. But there have to be question marks over how he would prepare the team tactically for major moments.
3. Marco Giampaolo
If Milan lose to Genoa on Saturday, it is almost certain this man will be axed and then replaced during the international break.
MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 29: AC Milan coach Marco Giampaolo shouts to his players during the Serie A match between AC Milan and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 29, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
But senior figures at the club are eager for him to succeed in that fixture because they believe he has the ability to turn this situation around.
Giampaolo, 52, is in his 10th management job and is well respected, but this gig comes with new pressure and expectation. Italian sources explained how he has had difficult times at previous clubs and then overcome them—so there is a willingness from Milan to stick with him, if he shows signs of immediate improvement.
His tactical indecisiveness is said to have caused some concern in recent weeks, but there is also a belief that he is working tirelessly on improving team chemistry to spark a turnaround and that new confidence in the side might not be too far away. Change is not always for the better.
2. Arsene Wenger
With his old Arsenal pal Ivan Gazidis now at Milan in the role of chief executive, it's no surprise Wenger is being linked with a job there, too.
The Sun touted him as a potential appointment in May when Gennaro Gattuso left his post, with the Frenchman's odds slashed at bookmakers. But the rumours have started again, and Gazzetta Dello Sport (h/t The Sun) said he is in mind as the manager to rescue them now.
Wenger has been out of a job in football since leaving Arsenal in 2018, and sources close to the Frenchman insist he has his ears open to intriguing offers for a return—but he is unlikely to take up a main coaching role.
Wenger misses the involvement, but at this stage, he would see himself better suited to an advisory role than a hands-on position in the dugout, according to insiders.
His experience and extensive contacts could be extremely useful in whatever position he takes up.
"I understand the concerns over his last few years at Arsenal but his overall history there can't be ignored," says Milan blogger Peter Coiley. "He's gotten his teams to play beautiful football in the past."
1. Max Allegri
In a list of ideal candidates to bring new fortune, Allegri has to be top.
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY 16: Head coach of Juventus Massimiliano Allegri celebrates after winning the Italian Supercup match between Juventus and AC Milan at King Abdullah Sports City on January 16, 2019 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Marco Rosi
There are some good managers out of work right now, but he is one of the best. And he already has a special place in the hearts of Milan fans.
In recent years, he was leading Juventus to success, but between 2010 and 2014, he was in charge of the Rossoneri and won the Scudetto in 2011.
His return would be the best solution to fix their woes, but sadly, it is probably not a realistic one.
Bleacher Report sources in Italy say he has already been approached about multiple jobs this term and that Milan are indeed interested in the prospect of bringing him back. Yet there are two big problems to overcome.
First, he is enjoying some time out and would prefer to start fresh in pre-season with a new team—so the idea of taking over a club in crisis may not appeal.
The second factor is that he earned €7.5 million-a-year at Juventus, so Milan probably cannot afford him.
"It's reasonable to expect someone like Allegri is out of reach.
"However, should Elliott Management (the club's owners) be willing to offer a wage that matches his demand, I'd prefer him on the bench given his track record. Sure, his football can be boring at times, but he gets results.
"Assuming he's out of our budget, though, I'd be very interested in seeing what Arsene Wenger brings to the table."
"The pressure to coach at Milan under these current circumstances is extremely difficult when you consider all factors. There is the line Milan must toe with UEFA's financial fair play, which could hinder the market budget which would essentially be used to court the manager the Rossoneri need—among other things, including wages and opportunities related to trophies.
"This is precisely why failing to finish top four last year yielded such a concerning reaction from supporters. At this point in time, Milan would be best served with a proper bridge manager to help the club steady the ship.
"The thing with Milan, however, is a project requires proper resources and, the most valuable asset of all, time to build, something which the club simply cannot afford to pay out.
"Massimiliano Allegri, Luciano Spalletti, Claudio Ranieri and even Arsene Wenger have been considered soft targets. With the exception of Ranieri, who coached Roma for a few months last year after Eusebio Di Francesco was sacked, it is extremely hard to imagine the others stepping in during a turbulent time without a summer to assess and assemble."
