The tight black jersey clinging to his chest and the sneer with which he faces matches and interviews: it's rare to see Sergio Conceição smiling or relaxed. Unless it's a special occasion—like when he celebrated winning the Italian Super Cup with a cigar in his mouth, dancing wildly.
The coach knows no half measures: in recent Champions League matches, he has too often been seen in his more tense version, and as a result, Milan bid farewell to the tournament. To rediscover happiness, the Champions League remains at the center of everything, it's the team's goal for the coming months of the league. Securing a spot that grants access to Europe's elite competition, along with the financial rewards and prestige that come with it.
The same applies to Conceição: if Milan finishes in the top four of Serie A, he would be guaranteed confirmation as Rossoneri coach. This would mean fulfilling the second year of his contract, earning a €3.5 million salary, and, more importantly, having achieved the sporting objective. A professional accomplishment that, for someone who lives his job with the same passion as Sergio, means more than any financial recognition.
The current situation at AC Milan:
Beyond Ibrahimović’s reassurances and Conceição’s pragmatism, there is a middle ground. Zlatan, recently "awarded" his ninth Golden Tapir by Striscia la Notizia, said two nights ago: "The coach is doing well. Since he arrived, things have changed. We are not yet at 100%, but we are improving. He has our full trust." The night before, in a press conference, Sergio was more direct: "I know that if I don't win, they pack my bags and send me away."
In reality, the situation is more nuanced: winning the Super Cup is not enough to guarantee Conceição’s stay. It’s a trophy that enriches the club’s cabinet, but it cannot salvage the season. The Coppa Italia, a title Milan hasn’t won since 2003, would bring joy and add another piece to the club’s silverware collection, but it wouldn’t impact the coach’s future either. With the Champions League already lost, the focus shifts to climbing up the league standings. After elimination against Feyenoord, Milan must ensure an immediate return to Europe's top competition next season. If Conceição completes the climb, he can plant the Rossoneri flag and consider himself Milan’s coach for the following season. This would allow him to shape the team from the summer, with ample time for training, something he has lacked in these two months due to a packed schedule, a factor he has often pointed to as a cause of on-field struggles.
On the other hand, without Champions League qualification, everything would be up for debate. Milan would be ready to start a new managerial cycle: after entrusting Pioli with the bench for almost five years, Conceição would become the second coach in a row to fall off track within just a few months.
The middle path...
This is not necessarily a straightforward sporting crossroads, there is a third route that, while currently looking difficult, remains open. Conceição could be confirmed even without Champions League qualification. This would happen if, over the next three months, his Milan displays brilliant football and strong character, missing out on the objective only due to unfortunate circumstances. The numbers indicate that his impact in Serie A has been positive: fourteen points in seven games, averaging two per match. A pace that, if maintained, leads straight to the Champions League. Milan had slowed down under Fonseca but regained speed in recent weeks. However, a further step forward is needed—both in the style of play and, above all, in personality. Milan struggled even against Verona, and Conceição’s ferocity has yet to be fully seen. But there is still time to change perceptions.
Milan's contract with Sergio Conceicao...
What won’t be taken into account in evaluations is the lost Champions League campaign, the club attributes the elimination to glaring individual mistakes, from Maignan’s error in the first leg in the Netherlands to Theo’s red card in the return match. The contract is not a decisive factor either: Conceição is tied to Milan until 2026, but both parties, club and coach—have the option to terminate the agreement early, as soon as the end of the season, as pointed out by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
