Julen Lopetegui is the top candidate for Milan's coaching position in view of next season.
The former Real Madrid and Spain national team coach has not yet signed a contract with the Rossoneri club. But, he is highly regarded by the club management and has impressed Gerry Cardinale in the interview they had in recent weeks, and he has a more prestigious curriculum than other candidates.
The process for choosing the new coach at Milan is more complex than elsewhere. Cardinale will be the one taking responsibility, but the opinions of Giorgio Furlani, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Geoffrey Moncada are crucial, as per La Gazzetta dello Sport.
They form a triumvirate alongside special consultants, including Zelus, the data analysis company in which RedBird has invested heavily. The decision is collegial, but there are some principles established at the beginning of the process. Milan is seeking an international coach who is good at working with young players, who doesn't impose his own views but shares the club's transfer choices. Last summer with Pioli, the signings, especially Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Tijjani Reijnders, and Christian Pulisic, were explicitly wanted by the coach.
Lopetegui has been liked for a while, and contacts with his agents, frequent even in recent days, date back quite some time. Geoffrey Moncada was one of the most determined, if not the most determined, in advancing his candidacy in the initial phase. The last few days have marked a turning point because Milan has decided not to continue with Stefano Pioli, who, had he won the Europa League, would have secured his confirmation. The season with second place in the league (more than in line with the club's demands), two lost derbies, and elimination from three cups convinced Milan to consider the cycle that began in 2019 closed.
The AC Milan club has thus identified Lopetegui as their man, with priority over Paulo Fonseca, Domenico Tedesco, Mark van Bommel, Christophe Galtier, Thiago Motta, and other candidates.
The final word has not yet been written, but Lopetegui has given Milan his preference over the richer offer from West Ham and expects to coach soon in Milan. Compared to Fonseca, another strong candidate, and Van Bommel, he has achieved more results and frequented more top-level benches. Lopetegui won the 2019-20 Europa League – in the final against Inter Milan, he led Spain for almost two years without losing a game (2016-2018), and he was on the bench at Real Madrid for three months from summer to autumn 2018, a brief experience which didn't go very well for both parties.
It is logical that Milan would be his 'redemption arch', a new chance at a high level after nine months at Wolverhampton, from November 2022 to the end of the season: a great comeback in the Premier League ended with a controversial departure in August 2023. Matters of projects and investments in the market. After a year off, Lopetegui is ready to get back in the game, and Milan is considering a future with him. Milan fans on social media aren't too excited and keen on him, though. They would prefer Antonio Conte, or perhaps Thiago Motta – but Lopetegui in May could cross the finish line.
The choice at the moment is clear: Milan wants to bet on Julen Lopetegui.
Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport
