3' min
After five years marked by ups and downs, Stefano Pioli's tenure as Milan's head coach has come to an end. The Rossoneri have opted for a familiar face in Italian football, former Roma manager Paulo Fonseca, to lead them into a new era.
Paulo Fonseca began his coaching career in 2005, leading the youth team of Estrela Amadora. He continued in the lower tiers of Portuguese football among professionals. In 2012, he debuted in the top Portuguese league with Paços de Ferreira, achieving a qualification for the Champions League playoffs. The following year, in 2013, he moved to Porto, where he won the Portuguese Super Cup, marking his first success as a coach.
Subsequently, he led Braga to win the Portuguese Cup. From 2016 to 2019, Fonseca managed Shakhtar Donetsk, securing seven trophies and recording 103 victories in 139 matches. In 2019, he arrived in Italy to coach AS Roma, taking the team to the Europa League semifinals in 2021. After his time in Rome, he moved to Lille but struggled to bring the club back to the Champions League. In his last season, he was eliminated in the Conference League quarterfinals by Aston Villa and finished 4th in Ligue 1, just two points away from a Champions League spot.
Although not yet official, Alvaro Morata is expected to be Milan's first major summer signing. The Spanish striker, fresh from winning the European Championship, returns to Italy after previous stints with Juventus. With the departures of Olivier Giroud, Simon Kjaer, and Antonio Mirante, whose contracts have expired, Milan will rely on Morata's quality and goal-scoring abilities.
After bolstering the attack, Milan's management aims to provide coach Fonseca with reinforcements in other areas. For defense, the primary target is Pavlovic from Salzburg. In midfield, Monaco's Fofana is a preferred option, while free agents Rabiot and Emerson Royal are also under consideration. In attack, Niclas Fullkrug, currently sidelined at Dortmund by newcomer Guirassy, remains a dream signing.
After finishing second in the previous Serie A season behind champions Inter, Milan aims to improve their record in the upcoming campaign. With more than two years since their last Scudetto, Leao and his teammates will strive to contend for the title until the final day. Inter remains the favorite, Juventus is a question mark, and Napoli under Antonio Conte is also a contender.
Securing a trophy would be a significant achievement for Fonseca in his debut season. The Coppa Italia, which Milan hasn't won in 21 years, presents a promising opportunity. Additionally, improving on last season's Champions League performance, where they finished last in their group, is a priority. Reaching at least the Round of 16 is the minimum target.
The post-Pioli Milan is becoming increasingly Portuguese. Besides Rafa Leao, the new coach Paulo Fonseca adds to the Lusitanian influence at the club. Both share a connection with Lille, as Milan signed Leao from the French club in 2019, and Fonseca's last coaching stint was there. Fonseca will look to extract the best from the 1999-born talent, potentially with a different tactical system than his predecessor. Leao, coming off a mixed European Championship, aims to achieve consistent performances.
The first part of Milan's summer preparation will take place at Milanello. They will debut on July 20 in Austria against Rapid Vienna, followed by a trip to the United States for three prestigious friendlies with a Champions League flavor.
On July 27, they will face Manchester City at Yankee Stadium in New York. On August 1, they will play Real Madrid in the Soccer Champions League in Chicago, reuniting with Carlo Ancelotti. The final match in the U.S. is on August 7 against Barcelona in Baltimore. Before the Serie A opener, they will compete for the Berlusconi Trophy against Monza on August 16.
Milan will kick off their Serie A campaign against Torino on August 17 at San Siro. This challenging start will be followed by an away match against Parma, then Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico, and Venezia at home before the highly anticipated Milan derby against Inter on September 22. The clash with Juventus, featuring former player Alvaro Morata, is set for November 24.
