AC Milan’s newly appointed manager, Sergio Conceição, has set his sights on securing a Champions League qualification spot after a rocky start to the Serie A campaign left the Rossoneri eighth on the table.
The Portuguese tactician took over AC Milan on Monday following the dismissal of compatriot Paulo Fonseca, who was let go after six inconsistent months in charge.
Speaking at his first press conference on Tuesday, Conceição emphasized the club’s need to return to Europe’s elite competition.
“We all want one thing: for Milan to return to the Champions League. We are Milan,” Conceição declared.
With just 27 points from 17 games, AC Milan trail the top four by eight points and are five points adrift of sixth-placed Juventus, who occupy the final European qualifying spot.
Immediate Challenge in the Supercoppa
Conceição’s managerial debut will come on Friday in Saudi Arabia, where AC Milan faces Juventus in the Italian Super Cup semifinal.
While recognizing the limited preparation time, he expressed a no-excuses mentality:
“There’s not much time to prepare for the match against Juventus. We don’t complain and we don’t make excuses.”
Squad and Transfer Window
Conceição declined to comment on potential January transfers, stressing his focus on evaluating the squad:
“I want to know the players, from the seniors to the youth. It’s not fair to speak about the market before that.”
Zlatan Ibrahimović Reflects on Fonseca’s Tenure
Senior adviser Zlatan Ibrahimović expressed gratitude to Paulo Fonseca while acknowledging the lack of consistency during his tenure.
Ibrahimović also apologized for the misstep of sending Fonseca to address the media after the 1-1 draw with Roma, despite knowing of his impending dismissal.
“We made a mistake by sending him to the press conference. I apologize to Paulo and the fans,” said Ibrahimović.
The Swedish icon also reaffirmed Milan’s commitment to meeting fan expectations:
“We won’t be satisfied until we achieve our goals. And the Supercoppa is one of those goals. The responsibility is not solely the coach’s – we all have to take responsibility.”
Looking Forward
Conceição now faces the dual challenge of immediate results and long-term consistency as Milan aims to climb the Serie A table and secure a return to the Champions League. Fans await Friday’s clash with Juventus as the first glimpse of his vision for the club.
