🔥Milan bench puzzle: 5 contenders from Conte to Italiano, new DS 👀 | OneFootball

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After the crushing defeat in the Coppa Italia final against Bologna, Milan has officially closed the brief and troubled Sergio Conceicao chapter. A farewell that had been written for weeks, shaped by the coldness of internal relations and disappointing results. The Portuguese coach—who never truly connected with the team, management, or the environment—will be relieved of his duties at the end of the season, regardless of the outcome of the last two league matches. Now, all attention shifts to the choice of the new coach, a crucial decision for the club’s future, just like that of the new sporting director. After two failed foreign experiments (Fonseca and Conceicao), the management seems inclined to go for an Italian coach, someone more solid and rooted in the Serie A context. NEW SPORTING DIRECTOR Despite having described the ending season as a “failure,” CEO Giorgio Furlani has ruled out any revolutions: the management team consisting of Ibrahimovic, Moncada, and Kirovski will be confirmed. A choice for continuity that, however, risks turning into stagnation, precisely at a time when bold decisions are needed. A sporting director is still missing: Igli Tare has been ruled out, D’Amico is blocked by Atalanta, while the Paratici option remains in the background. THE NAMES FOR THE MILAN BENCH Here are the main candidates for the Milan bench for 2025/2026: - Massimiliano Allegri – Former Rossonero and recently departed Juventus coach after a stormy exit. He knows the environment, has won before, and would be a safe choice. The obstacle is his high salary, but his availability remains concrete. - Maurizio Sarri – Free after resigning from Lazio, he is highly regarded by management and had already been considered in the past. He could accept if involved from the start in a clear, long-term technical project. - Vincenzo Italiano – The man who just beat Milan in the final. His profile is on the rise: clear ideas, a winning mentality, and the ability to develop young talent. The unknown is whether he wants to take the risk now or wait for a more mature opportunity. - Antonio Conte – Currently at Napoli, under contract, but a departure at the end of the season is not ruled out. The problem is a personal rift with Ibrahimovic, which makes it hard to imagine a peaceful coexistence. - Roberto De Zerbi – His future at Marseille is uncertain, but he is highly appreciated for his playing philosophy and identity. He is known to be a Milan supporter and has a past in the Rossoneri youth sector, so a concrete attempt is not out of the question if he becomes available. NO FAVORITE At the moment, there is no clear favorite. The management, particularly Furlani and Ibrahimovic, is taking its time to decide, but knows it can no longer afford mistakes. The possible arrival of a new sporting director could influence the final choice of coach. Milan is called to rebuild, and the choice of coach will be the first building block. The 2024/25 season has been defined as a failure: the future begins now, from the bench.

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