AC Milan potential next manager

We take a look at who might take charge of AC Milan with Sergio Conceicao expected to leave the club in the near future.

If it was his last game in charge of AC Milan, it will have been a sad ending for Sergio Conceiçao as he served a touchline ban for the final Serie A match of the season against Monza.

The Portuguese manager only joined the club in December and lifted the Suppercoppa Italiana in just his second game in charge.

Unfortunately for Conceiçao results have dropped off since then with Milan losing in the final of the Coppa Italia and slumping to an eighth place finish in Serie A.

AC Milan next manager candidates

Thiago Motta

Brilliant at Bologna, Thiago Motta's reputation as one of football's rising managerial stars took a huge hit following a disastrous nine-month spell in charge of Juventus.

He seemed unable to replicate anything close to the style of play that he implemented at his previous club and was sacked after a European exit was followed up with a string of defeats.

This does not mean that Motta is a bad coach, however, and he could bring success to AC Milan.

His progressive style of play was lauded with Bologna and he had the results to match it.

The club broke their Serie A points record in back-to-back seasons under Motta and qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 60 years.

Roberto Mancini

Linked with Roma in recent days, Roberto Mancini would be a coup for any Italian club looking to appoint a manager.

His three Serie A titles also come with four Coppa Italia successes, winning trophies abroad, as well as leading his nation to European Championship glory in 2021.

Italy has produced a wealth of brilliant coaches but Mancini is undoubtedly one of the most revered, displaying on multiple occasions that he is able to adapt his style of play to new squads, players, leagues and countries.

One barrier to his appointment could be his previous links to bitter rivals Inter Milan.

The 60-year-old has twice taken charge of the Nerazzurri - claiming a Scudetto hat-trick in his very successful first spell with the club.

Maurizio Sarri

Is this the final piece in the puzzle of the Milan reshuffle?

According to reports, the Rossoneri are set to appoint Igli Tare as their new sporting director which has fuelled speculation that he could try and rekindle an old relationship.

Formerly of Lazio, Tare helped appoint Sarri in Rome and the pair went onto enjoy some success together before Tare's departure in 2023.

Sarri - defined by his attacking philosophy - has a very clear style of play and would be a cheaper option for a cash-strapped AC Milan.

The 66-year-old enjoyed a fantastic spell at Napoli where he twice finished runner-up to Juventus in Serie A.

He did, however, win a league title when he joined Juventus in the 2019/20. This was just his second major honour after he lifted the UEFA Europa League with Chelsea the season prior.