In recent weeks, the perception of Sergio Conceição has changed.
The Portuguese coach, according to a recent poll by Milannews.it, now has the support of 54% of respondents, who acknowledge several mitigating factors in his favor. These include the fact that he took over mid-season, inheriting a team that was not particularly suited to his style of football. Despite this, he managed to win the Italian Super Cup and guide the team to the Coppa Italia final, while also overseeing a solid end to the league campaign.
Beyond the results on the pitch, however, Conceicao's demanding journey at Milan offers a lens into how certain football notions and cultures as well as managerial philosophies travel across borders. That, in fact, influences clubs, player and even supporters alike. In the ever-evolving world of football, teams are often defined not just by their players but by the signature styles of play that reflect their identity. And for football fans and tactical enthusiasts alike, including those who analyze games through platforms like dbbet and follow trends via betting sites in India—understanding these distinctions enhances both appreciation and strategy.
In this article, we explore how Conceição's numbers have stacked up so far at AC Milan and what the future may hold—factors that could significantly impact fans’ betting strategies when it comes to Milan’s upcoming matches.
Conceição's numbers
In his 28 matches in charge, Conceição has recorded 15 wins, 5 draws, and 8 defeats, with an average of 1.79 points per game. Focusing only on the league, he has 10 wins, 3 draws, and 6 defeats in 19 games, for an average of 1.74 points per match. This is an improvement over Fonseca’s record (1.75 overall, 1.59 in Serie A). Recently, the team has found balance with the 3-4-3 formation, even though, by his own admission, it is not a system he particularly likes. Since adopting it, the team has achieved 5 wins and only 1 loss, conceding just 3 goals.
Defensively, the team has found stability, while in attack, players who seemed lost, like Luka Jovic, have been revived, and Santiago Gimenez is finally finding his form again.
Winning the Coppa Italia would mean securing two trophies in one season—something that hasn’t happened since the 2007/08 campaign under Carlo Ancelotti (when Milan won the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup). The regret remains the Champions League qualification, which now seems unlikely and could all but slip away tonight if Roma win their match. A couple more games played with greater clarity during the season might have made the difference.
The alternatives
If Conceição were to be replaced, the club would need clear certainties on the bench. But who can provide them? At the moment, it's difficult even to discuss alternatives, given that Milan is still searching for a sporting director.
Antonio Conte is the dream appointment, and his stay at Napoli is far from guaranteed. However, Juventus is also interested in the Salento-born coach. Maurizio Sarri would also be a high-profile candidate. Beyond that, there are few managers with Conceição’s track record: 11 trophies with Porto and consistent Champions League participation.
The club’s stance
Before the league match against Bologna, CEO Giorgio Furlani publicly reaffirmed his support for Conceição:
“As soon as he arrived, he won a trophy, and on Wednesday, he could become the first coach since Ancelotti to win two in the same season. Right now, we are focused on finishing the season in the best possible way. He is doing a good job, and he has our full confidence.”
It is worth remembering that Conceição has a contract until June 2026, but there is a clause allowing either party to terminate the agreement a year early without the obligation to pay the salary for the final season, as pointed out by those at Milannews.it.
The fans have spoken
The majority of Milan fans are clear that the main problem is not the coach, but rather the club itself. There is too much confusion, and the leadership structure is unclear. The owner has not been seen at San Siro since Milan vs. Venezia on September 14. The club has been searching for a sporting director for months without success. The coach has often been left alone, as seen at the end of the Fonseca era.
In the midst of all this, Conceição has preferred to avoid commenting on his future:
“I will speak at the right time.”
