Milan coach Conceiçao: ‘Former’ spokesman acted ‘out of spite’ | OneFootball

Sergio Conceiçao says his former spokesman acted ‘out of spite’ by saying that he was unhappy at Milan, but he admits stars Theo Hernandez, Rafael Leao, and Mike Maignan have had ‘ups and downs.’

The Rossoneri have lost three consecutive matches and visit Lecce in a vital Serie A match tomorrow.

Milan found themselves 11 points below the top four and are currently outside a European spot in ninth place.

Further confusion ensued on Thursday night as Conceiçao spokesman informed prominent Italian media that the Portuguese was unhappy with the team and the club’s management.

During a pre-match press conference on Friday, Conceiçao clarified that he was one of his former staff members.

“I’m sorry about this situation. I don’t understand why; I can’t figure out what this former collaborator did to me; I don’t know if someone paid him. I don’t get it,” he said via Milannews.

Conceiçao: ‘Former’ spokesman acted ‘out of spite’. Leao, Theo and Maignan have ‘ups and downs’

Rafael Leao of AC Milan celebrates with his team-mate Theo Hernandez after scoring their team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AC Milan at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on January 14, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“A journalist called me and sent me a screenshot of the points he referred to. He did it out of spite; I feel sorry for everyone, even for those working here at Milan. We’re here every day, Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] and Geoff [Moncada] are here every day. We’ve had a plain week to work on other things with the whole group available, even Florenzi who returned. It was the first week like this; we did good work with everyone involved.”

Conceiçao added he would take legal action against his former collaborator, who resigned on Friday.

With Milan so far away from the top spots and already out of the Champions League, there is a concern that Conceiçao will struggle to keep the players motivated.

“It was important to work with some players on different situations we’ve never worked on before. If we’re talking about desire, it’s not good. Everyone must have the desire,” said the coach.

“It’s something that needs to be there every day for those who come here to defend this jersey. In training, I saw who gave me more guarantees to start the match, and everyone gave me a good response. Then it’s up to me to choose the best strategy to win a difficult match.

“To achieve results, we need two things: to work at our best, we must do much more as a team,” he continued.

“Then there’s a bit of bad luck to improve. Everything is different when you win. For me, it’s also new to lose three consecutive matches. There’s no other way than to work. We need to believe and act and work with the utmost conviction.

“There have been decisive matches every three days since I arrived here. We have 13 guaranteed games, 11 in the league and two in the Coppa Italia. Looking at this derby and seeing Inzaghi’s statement, he said they can win three [titles], we can win two despite the negative season. We can’t think too far ahead. Otherwise, we’ll forget what is necessary to win.”

Mike Maignan will serve a one-game ban tomorrow, and the latest reports in Italy suggest Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao will start on the bench in Lecce.

“I’m the first one who doesn’t want to lose. I would be masochistic to think of fielding a team that is not the best to win the match,” said Conceiçao.

“Then there are other moments, there are 90 or more minutes, there is this management to do, and they pay me for this. I choose based on the players’ form. For example, one has great quality but is not physically fit or doesn’t give me the right feeling in training. It’s not like they signed up to play every time. The one who gives me the most guarantees plays.

“Do the leaders pay tomorrow? I’m the leader, I’m the one who pays.”

Fans and media have particularly criticised Milan leaders, including Maignan, Theo and Leao, for their inconsistency.

“There are two things. The coach with the players, and Sergio Conceiçao with Leao, Theo, and Maignan,” said the Portuguese.

“The person is one thing, the coach is another. Even a great like Ancelotti said that. As people, they are great, as professionals, they have ups and downs like everyone. They are players who have shown that here at Milan, they can make a difference because they have enormous quality.”

Even Santiago Gimenez could start on the bench in Lecce.

“He is working. He comes to a league that is not easy at all, and it’s different in Italy,” argued Conceiçao.

“There’s always an adaptation period and it’s absolutely normal. We didn’t suppress his quality by putting a player next to him. We are working on it, and he’s very focused on his work, he had a good week of training. I’ve seen many players, like Retegui, come to Italy and struggle at first. It’s not easy to come to Italy and immediately score 15-20 goals. He wants it, and I want it too, but he is working.”

Conceiçao concluded by saying that he’d like to see the same qualities of his former Porto team at Milan.

“I was talking about this when I saw the Arsenal match. The solidity and compactness of the team, even with less quality compared to the players I have today, were fantastic. It has to be harmonious behaviour, where everyone knows what we’re doing to steal the ball from the opponents.

“All players need to have a soldier-like attitude: I’m finding more difficulty getting this message across. Now, we’re working with those who have played the most; we started this week. Will we see something different tomorrow? I’m really working on this… A better Milan tomorrow? After one week? Fine, I accept the challenge.”