GOOD NEWS: Time for essential reform, Milan faces a major decision that will determine the future.
As our season continues to sink into a pit of despair, AC Milan faces a key summer that will influence the next years.
Following our relegation from the Champions League, our Europa League season came to an end last week with a humiliating defeat to Roma. Although our Scudetto aspirations had long faded, there was more bad news to come as the Rossoneri were defeated by Inter on Monday night, allowing the Nerazzurri to claim the title.
While Milan is on track to improve on last season’s league performance, both in terms of final position and points total, there is no hiding the regression and direction in which we are headed.
It’s important to stress that this isn’t all on Stefano Pioli. The construction of the squad has left a lot to be desired and questions should be asked of management about their decision-making, while the players have failed to reach the levels expected of them on a consistent basis.
Nevertheless, it does all come back to a fundamental point. Pioli’s cycle does appear to be over, and while it doesn’t come as much of a surprise given our performances and results for some time now, it certainly sounds as though a change will be made at the end of the season.
As per Fabrizio Romano, the Italian tactician will be sacked this summer and the search for his successor is already underway, with various names being linked with the post.
The widely publicized decision is right. Milan has lacked character, identity, a specific style of play, and structure for a long time, and while we’ve had some good results and form, it’s been inconsistent and unconvincing, and we haven’t been able to break out of that rut.
Pioli has had plenty of opportunity to develop long-term solutions, but they have avoided him. And, while we should honor and admire his accomplishments since his appointment, we must also recognize when his time is done.
With five games remaining, we are 17 points behind Inter. This demonstrates how far we have fallen. A top-five finish is almost guaranteed, and a return to Europe’s top table is predicted, although next season will see a new coach in charge.
So, the issue will soon arise: who is the best candidate for the job?
As expected, there has been no shortage of potential candidates, with a slew of names linked with Milan. Xavi, Antonio Conte, Mark van Bommel, and Paulo Fonseca have all been linked, but who is the best fit?
Milan need a fresh, progressive and inspiring appointment. A coach capable of implementing clear principles and a philosophy as to how he wants us to play, but with the pragmatism to pair that with structure and solidity and a winning mentality and culture. Further, he needs the full backing and support from the hierarchy to allow his vision to become a reality.
With other big clubs around Europe in the market for a new coach this summer and a number of free agents, it’s going to be intriguing to see how it plays out. That said, the Milan hierarchy need to be decisive and clinical with their choice and focus on the right candidate, as a post-Pioli rebuild could either see us fall further off the pace with the wrong pick, or close the gap and start moving in the right direction once again.
At this stage, there isn’t a huge amount of confidence that the Milan management will get it right, but it’s still a job that holds a lot of prestige and ambition, and we’ll hopefully land on the right candidate to get us back on track.
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