Milan’s future is still unwritten.
Although the season is not yet over, the chances of the Rossoneri securing a spot in the next edition of the Champions League are very slim. The nine-point gap from fourth place, currently held by Bologna, feels like a heavy burden, and the general feeling among Milan fans is that qualifying for the Europa League—or worse, the Conference League—would represent a complete failure.
There is also the completely unresolved issue regarding the next sporting director of the club, but equally important is the ongoing search for the successor to Sergio Conceição, as pointed out by PianetaMilan.it.
It’s genuinely difficult to predict a single name, as there are many factors to consider. First and foremost, it will be necessary to understand what the next sporting director’s project will be, what the guiding philosophy is, and how much potential financial constraints could interfere. The revenue from the Champions League provides a significant sum that Milan now risks missing out on.
This leads to the second point: which coach would accept a project without the top European competition? Many would respond with just one name: Antonio Conte.
However, the situation surrounding Napoli’s current coach is still to be discovered. Manna, a Napoli executive, has said he hopes to continue working with Conte, especially given the three-year contract signed just last summer. Antonio Conte, in short, remains the dream for many Rossoneri fans. Starting practically from scratch with him would guarantee the credibility of a clearly ambitious and, above all, short-term project. A quick return to greatness after two rather disappointing seasons could also help bridge the gap that has developed between the fans and the management.
And yet, doubts remain and persist.
The biggest fear is that Milan might opt for a different profile—perhaps young or inexperienced. Roberto De Zerbi stirs emotions because of his past with the Rossoneri and his appealing football philosophy, but doesn't excite when it comes to career achievements or a résumé that features teams which, with all due respect, are simply not comparable to Milan.
Massimiliano Allegri is still available on the market, having parted ways with Juventus after his most recent stint. His return would likely ensure a certain level of league placement, but it remains to be seen whether he could coexist with the idea of a “working group” approach.
In short, it's not just the sporting director—even the coaching position risks becoming a major puzzle.
