If it weren't for the strong protest from AC Milan fans, perhaps by now Milan would already have a new coach appointed for the next season: Julen Lopetegui. But it's not certain that in the end it won't indeed be still him taking Stefano Pioli's.
The executives have indeed chosen him, and the Spaniard remains firmly in pole position since he already has a preliminary agreement with the Milan club for a three-year contract worth four million euros net per season.
As per La Gazzetta dello Sport reports this morning that the week beginning today will likely be decisive in reaching a decision about the future of the Milan bench. In these last few days, the Rossoneri executives have also evaluated alternatives, particularly Paulo Fonseca and Roberto De Zerbi, but they will soon have to give an answer to Lopetegui, who in recent weeks has also had positive contacts with West Ham.
For the English, the Spanish coach, who is currently in Asteasu, the Basque town where he was born, has indicated that he has chosen Milan, to the extent that he is already planning his arrival at Milanello: besides Spanish, the former Real Madrid and Sevilla coach speaks English, French, Portuguese, and even a bit of Italian.
Lopetegui, who might include his son Daniel in the staff, aims to learn the Italian language as best as possible in the coming weeks, in order to be ready for the start of his new Milanese adventure.
Obviously, this is all contingent on starting; the final green light is still pending: the decision will be up to Gerry Cardinale.
