Why RedBird didn't want Antonio Conte is so obvious that it doesn't need to be mentioned; why they chose Paulo Fonseca is sincerely a mystery. But even more baffling is the lack of interest in an Italian coach. There were plenty of free and less stressful options than Conte, and good ones too: Sarri, De Zerbi, Italiano. Even Napoli courted Gasperini, but not Milan. No blame for not pursuing Thiago Motta: Juventus moved well in advance, when RedBird still thought they could confirm Pioli, the perfect alibi.
It seems that behind the choice of Fonseca there's also the endorsement of Ibra, an invisible advisor to the ownership, without any official role at Milan. He faces the toughest job, in a club where football men continue to be few. It will be up to him to defend Fonseca, make him stronger, protect him in the face of initial difficulties, which are always there in any coaching relationship. If, however, the choice of Fonseca went over Ibra's head, things could start off very badly. Moreover, it would remain to be seen what his role would be, if he doesn't even choose the coach, in a club where the CEO is Giorgio Furani, formerly a portfolio manager at Elliott, with no background in football, except for being a spectator, writes Calciomercato.com.
Fonseca is a decent coach, he has clear ideas, believes in offensive football, and aims for results through a certain playing style. He has never coached a strong team, at least as strong as Milan, and ambitious like Milan (at least as its fans see it; there are different versions about the ambitions of the ownership).
Fonseca knows Italy, and this is a great advantage compared to the other foreign names circulating in recent weeks, from Lopetegui downwards. The fifth place achieved with Roma in 2020 remains the club's recent best result, despite Mourinho's three-year tenure. And that was also the last time Roma finished ahead of Milan (sixth). In the following season, they finished seventh, in a team that fielded suspended players and made 6 substitutions per game, losing by default. Mourinho replaced him, and with a reinforced team, only managed to earn 1 point more in the league.
Those who know him well describe him as a straightforward, honest person. The new role is stimulating, but the technical foundation is there. Milan is not worth 19 points less than Inter, as the league table suggests. Milan is not worth the 6 consecutive derby losses under Pioli against Inzaghi (let's always remember that, even in these hours of nostalgic farewell to the coach of the 19th scudetto).
Fonseca's first task will be to restore confidence and roles to the defenders, who appeared weaker this season than they actually are, due to faults not only their own. Milan needs reorganising, like all teams, but certainly not rebuilding. They need a center-forward, a young, strong striker. It would be good to confirm all the good ones, but it seems impossible. At least avoid sacrificing Theo and Leao, the axis of the title race. And maybe consider Maignan, because there are many good goalkeepers around, and maybe they get injured less than him: absent for 42 matches since his arrival to Milan.
