Sergio Conceição was interviewed by 'La Repubblica'. The current coach of Al-Ittihad spoke about the ongoing issues surrounding Milan, which he coached for only six months.
"Pulisic and Gabbia were leaders by the example they set, but they were not the only ones. Environmental instability also reaches the dressing room. We would have needed strong protection from the club.”
“It is not easy being the coach of Milan. Historically, it is a club used to playing at the very highest level. At Porto it was different; I had a president who had been in charge for decades. The club is well structured and organised. The transition was not easy.”
“When I was at Milan, we were not on the pitch every three days; we practically trained through matches. A lot of video work, few training sessions on the pitch, but I do not complain because when I signed, I knew the schedule. It was a positive six months, we reached two finals. I was called to complete a job in which Fonseca had encountered difficulties, even though Paulo is a great coach. The group wanted to work, as shown by the Super Cup won by beating Juventus and Inter.”
Conceicao added:
“In Milan I found a difficult situation: just after the first draw against Cagliari, rumours started circulating about my replacement and no one in the management bothered to deny them. I have been in several dressing rooms and I can tell you that the instability of the environment also comes from there: the fans’ discontent was noticeable, and social media amplified everything.”
“The cigar celebration is my trademark. Here in Saudi Arabia I have now grown attached to my cigars, since wine is not allowed.”
