‘Portuguese derby’ – Conceicao and Fonseca the leading candidates for Milan

AC Milan are in the process of trying to identify who will be the next head coach, and there are two Portuguese options that have got their attention.

According to a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below), the next few days could be very important, indeed perhaps decisive, in finding out who will replace Stefano Pioli on the Milan bench.

After weeks of rumours and speculation, the battle now seems to be between two candidates, both Portuguese. One is Paulo Fonseca, the current coach of Lille, and the other is Sergio Conceiçao of Porto.

The former has been in the Rossoneri’s sights for some time, while the latter has come about as a possibility over the past few days after being endorsed by Jorge Mendes, a well-known agent who worked with Milan on the renewal of Rafael Leao.

They are therefore currently the two big favourites. Fonseca – who has already coached Roma in Italy – there is also very strong interest from Marseille and a possible renewal with Lille. However, the charm of Milan could change things and that is why he is waiting before making a final decision on his future.

There could be updates on Conceiçao in the coming days. The former Lazio and Inter player should meet the new president of Porto, Andre Villas-Boas, with the aim of discussing his future.

The Lusitanian coach recently renewed his contract until 2028, but he did so with the previous number one Pinto da Costa and for this reason it is not excluded that he could opt for a farewell at the end of this season.

These are days of reflection, but in the meantime there have in fact been contacts with Roberto Martinez who is the head coach of Portugal, and with Mark van Bommel of Antwerp.