AC Milan has swiftly replaced Paulo Fonseca with fellow Portuguese Sergio Conceicao as their new head coach, following Fonseca’s dismissal on Monday after just six months in charge. Conceicao, who signed a contract until June 2026, arrives with a strong pedigree, having led Porto to three league titles and four Portuguese Cups during a seven-year tenure.
A New Chapter with Conceicao
The 50-year-old Conceicao brings Serie A experience from his playing days with Lazio, Parma, and Inter Milan between 1998 and 2004. He also had a stint as head coach of Ligue 1 side Nantes, adding international coaching experience to his resume. Milan is banking on Conceicao’s ability to revive their fortunes after a lackluster start to the season.
| Sergio Conceicao Career Highlights | Achievements |
|---|---|
| Porto (2016–2023) | 3 Primeira Liga titles, 4 Portuguese Cups |
| Ligue 1: Nantes (2016) | Maintained mid-table stability |
| Serie A Playing Experience | Lazio, Parma, Inter Milan (1998–2004) |
Conceicao’s resilience, forged through personal tragedy during his teenage years, has been a hallmark of his success. “Sergio Paulo Marceneiro da Conceicao has been appointed as the Head Coach of the men’s First Team until 30 June 2026,” Milan announced in a statement.
Fonseca’s Short-Lived Reign
Fonseca’s departure follows a 1-1 draw with AS Roma, Milan’s sixth stalemate of the season. The club sits seventh in Serie A, eight points away from the Champions League spots and 13 adrift of city rivals Inter Milan. Milan thanked Fonseca for his “great professionalism,” but his tenure was marred by poor form, conflicts with senior players, and controversial squad decisions.
| Milan Under Fonseca | Stats |
|---|---|
| Serie A Position | 7th |
| Key Conflicts | With Rafael Leao, Theo Hernandez |
| Recent Results | 1-1 vs Roma, 0-0 vs Genoa (with a weakened squad) |
Conceicao inherits a club under pressure not only on the pitch but also off it. Fans have grown increasingly hostile toward the US-based ownership group, RedBird Capital, accusing them of lacking ambition. The unrest peaked during Milan’s 125th-anniversary celebrations, where Paolo Maldini’s absence and chants demanding new ownership underscored the fans’ frustration.
