Sergio Conceicao new favourite for Milan coach

According to Sky Sport Italia, Milan will choose a Portuguese coach for next season, as Sergio Conceicao leads the way, followed by Ruben Amorim and Paulo Fonseca.

The Rossoneri had seemed close to Julen Lopetegui before baulking at the angry reaction from fans, who set up a petition to block the move and ran a social media campaign with the hashtag #Nopetegui.

Owner Gerry Cardinale and advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic are now believed to be leaning towards Portugal for their inspiration, perhaps hoping one of these coaches can inspire Rafael Leao to reach the next level.

Conceicao first choice

Sky Sport Italia suggest that the shortlist is down to three men, all of them from Portugal, with Sergio Conceicao leading the pack.

He is expected to leave FC Porto at the end of the season, even though he has a contract until June 2028, due to behind the scenes chaos at the club.

Conceicao has the advantage of being very familiar with Italian football and speaks the language too, having played in Serie A for Lazio, Parma and Milan’s city rivals Inter.

As a coach, he has won three Primeira Liga titles, three editions of the Taça de Portugal, one Taça da Liga and three Supercups.

The other candidates for Milan would be current Sporting CP boss Amorim, who had been close to Liverpool before they leaned towards Arne Slot, and former Roma coach Fonseca, who is currently in France with LOSC.