The hot favorite to take over as Milan coach for the next season is a controversial former manager of Spain.



With elimination from the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a>, the Coppa Italia, and the Champions League, Milan’s season has been a bitter disappointment. The fact that Inter have a chance to win the Scudetto in Monday’s derby only adds salt to the wound.



After winning the Serie A title in 2021-22, the Rossoneri will go without a trophy for the second year in a row. 



Consistent public support from management, a strong run in Europe, and seven consecutive wins beginning in March all worked in Pioli’s favor. They all increased the likelihood that he would remain.



Nonetheless, after two very concerning displays, they were knocked out of the Europa League, ending their only hope of lifting a trophy this season. 



Since Inter are so far above their city rivals in the league, this looks to have been the last straw for Stefano Pioli’s future with the club.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="430" height="379" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240421_WST_502567_image-14_82b1c3f2.webp&amp;width=430&amp;height=379" alt="" class="wp-image-502650" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/image-14.png 430w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/image-14-300x264.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 430px) 100vw, 430px"></figure><figcaption>Pioli is widely expected to leave AC Milan</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Lopetegui to replace Pioli?</h2>



Rumor has it that <a href="https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Calciomercato/Milan/20-04-2024/milan-lopetegui-nuovo-allenatore-delusioni-gioie-e-miracoli.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Gazzetta dello Sport</a> reports that Julen Lopetegui, a former coach of the Spanish national team, would be joining Milan for the next season. There needs to be a change in management at the club’s level, and Stefano Pioli has done his turn.



Lopetegui resigned as manager of Wolves in the Premier League because the club disapproved of his expensive signings. 



Aside from managing Real Madrid, Porto, he won the Europa League with Sevilla. The 57-year-old has also coached the Spanish national teams at the U19, U20, and U21 levels.



With a spot in next year’s Champions League almost certain and second place all but assured, Milan can go on with their plans for the next campaign without worrying about this one. However, club owner Gerry Cardinale has not yet made a final decision, despite recent interactions between the two.



Furthermore, the San Siro side have a <a href="https://gianlucadimarzio.com/it/milan-prossimo-allenatore-serie-a-2024-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shortlist of potential managers</a> that includes Paulo Fonseca, Christophe Galtier, Xavi, Ruben Amorim, and Marcelo Gallardo.



<h2>What does it mean for Pulisic?</h2>



A change of coaches may not help <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/milan-prepares-pulisic-contract-extension-amid-blazing-form/">Christian Pulisic</a> much, however. 



The Italian coach was instrumental in Milan’s acquisition of Pulisic and Yunus Musah of the USMNT last summer. Pulisic has been in fine form since joining the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-serie-a-on-us-tv-and-internet/">Serie A</a> giants, with eight assists and 13 goals in 44 outings across all competitions.



Thus, fans are gushing about the winger’s acquisition, especially since the club only spent more than $21 million for him. Even the player seemed to have something to thank current coach Stefano Pioli for after his outstanding season. 



The manager’s faith in his abilities, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/pulisics-father-reveals-reason-for-milan-move-and-revival-in-form/">said Mark Pulisic</a>, is a key factor in his son’s performance.



“Christian has had everyone’s trust. Pioli trusts him, he always lets him play and doesn’t immediately replace him if things go wrong. Then he likes Milan, and he always speaks well of his teammates. Fikayo Tomori and Olivier Giroud helped him a lot when it came to choosing Milan,” he said.



Photo credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Pulisic and Musah to have ex-Spain coach at Milan next season?

The hot favorite to take over as Milan coach for the next season is a controversial former manager of Spain.

Pulisic and Musah to have ex-Spain coach at Milan next season? - World Soccer Talk

Stefano Pioli’s future at AC Milan is uncertain; next week’s match against Sassuolo might be the deciding factor in his future.



Being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League has put <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/ac-milan-tv-schedule/">AC Milan</a> into a very tough situation. This weekend’s 2-2 tie with Salernitana has further complicated <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/05/22/scudetto-a-personal-triumph-for-milans-mild-mannered-manager-pioli/">Stefano Pioli</a>‘s already precarious situation.



They needed a late equalizer from Luka Jovic to escape losing to a club that had spent much of the season in last place in Serie A. 



Now more than ever before, Milan are really contemplating changes due to the results and the string of injuries.



Since Pioli’s job is in jeopardy, it’s believed that the club may fire him as early as next week. The manager’s fate will hang in the balance until meeting Sassuolo, even if they are not planning to let him go just yet.



The 58-year-old’s dismissal is reportedly expected to be imminent if he fails to secure victory in that match. For the Rossoneri, this season has been everything but easy.



As if <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/ac-milan-crash-out-of-ucl-whats-to-blame-for-rossoneris-exit-20231214-WST-477286.html">crashing from the UEFA Champions League</a> wasn’t enough, they are now in third place in Serie A. On top of that, they trail leaders Inter by 11 points and second-place Juventus by seven points.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="442" height="427" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231224_WST_479572_image-22_4df26ca0.webp&amp;width=442&amp;height=427" alt="" class="wp-image-479601" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/image-22.png 442w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/image-22-300x290.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 442px) 100vw, 442px"></figure><figcaption>Pioli is in danger with other candidates being considered</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Pioli’s destiny to decided by Ibrahimovic?</h2>



After leading the Rossoneri to the 2021-22 championship, most supporters have had enough of the team’s coach. Nonetheless, some point out that the large number of injuries has impacted this season’s results. So, instead of the manager, they propose replacing certain staff members.



But when it comes to making decisions at AC Milan, one thing is certain: Zlatan Ibrahimovic will <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/ibrahimovic-on-brink-of-making-ac-milan-comeback-in-new-role-20231111-WST-469416.html">have a significant role</a>. This is supposedly most true in regard to head coach Stefano Pioli’s future with the team.



According to <a href="https://www.milannews.it/news/mn-il-ruolo-di-ibrahimovic-nel-futuro-di-pioli-sara-al-centro-della-decisione-518977" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MilanNews,</a> the club will consider the new special advisor’s ideas while deciding whether to fire the coach. Two weeks after being hired, Ibra watched his first match in his new role from the stands at the Stadio Arechi.



The former striker reportedly spent all day Friday with Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani, where he discussed the possibility of Pioli’s dismissal.



<h2>Coach hoped for help from veteran in new role</h2>



The two have a strong professional connection; Pioli coached Ibrahimovic at San Siro, and the two are good friends. In a way, the team’s management is now the Swede’s responsibility, however. On top of that, he has unique insights that other club members just don’t have the depth to provide.



Curiously, Pioli had thought that the 42-year-old’s recent hiring as senior adviser would be the catalyst for his team to close the gap on the top two in Serie A.



“He’s the same Zlatan. He is approaching a different role but he is curious and determined”, <a href="https://www.milannews.it/primo-piano/live-mn-pioli-bennacer-titolare-domani-ibra-e-il-solito-zlatan-sara-con-noi-a-salerno-518686" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">he said during the most recent news conference</a>.



“I saw a motivated Ibra and it was an interesting day. He is an added value for me and the club, but he has great experience and he is a symbol of those who challenge the challengers.”



Photo credit: IMAGO / Giuseppe Maffia

Pioli's tenure at AC Milan at risk of end thanks to Ibrahimovic

Stefano Pioli's future at AC Milan is uncertain; next week's match against Sassuolo might be the deciding factor in his dismissal.

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Pulisic and Musah to have ex-Spain coach at Milan next season?

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Pioli's tenure at AC Milan at risk of end thanks to Ibrahimovic