Portuguese Sergio Conceição Appointed as AC Milan’s New Coach

AC Milan, competing in the Italian Serie A, announced today (Monday) the appointment of Sergio Conceição as their new head coach, following the departure of Paulo Fonseca. The club stated in a press release that the Portuguese coach signed a contract until June 30, 2026.

AC Milan, currently eighth in Serie A, sacked Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca after just six months in charge due to poor results and the failure to compete for the league title, according to an official statement released on Monday. Shortly afterward, the club announced the appointment of his compatriot, Sergio Conceição, as his replacement.

The Lombard club, currently 14 points behind league leaders Atalanta, stated: “AC Milan announces that Paulo Fonseca has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the men’s first team.” Hours later, in a second statement, the club announced that Conceição “has been appointed head coach until June 30, 2026.”

Reports from local media emerged after Milan’s 1-1 draw against Roma on Sunday, in the 18th round of the league, during which Fonseca was sent off at the end of the first half. According to these reports, Milan officials informed Fonseca of their decision after the game.

Milan, who last won their 19th Serie A title in 2022, has fallen out of the title race and now sits eighth, eight points behind fourth place, which guarantees a Champions League spot. Speaking to journalists from his car after the match, Fonseca, who previously coached Shakhtar Donetsk, Roma, and Lille, said: “Yes, I have left Milan. That’s life. My conscience is clear; I did everything I could.”

Since taking over from Stefano Pioli in July, Fonseca, 51, managed Milan in 24 matches across all competitions, winning 12 of them. Despite some notable victories, such as defeating Inter 2-1 in the Milan derby in September and beating Real Madrid 3-1 in the Champions League, consistency remained elusive.

Under Fonseca’s leadership, Milan failed to win two consecutive matches since achieving three straight victories in September. The coach also clashed with senior players and publicly criticized their commitment, targeting star forward Rafael Leão and sidelining French international full-back Theo Hernandez after a disappointing draw with Genoa earlier this month.

Conceição, who had been unemployed since leaving Porto last June after a seven-year tenure in which he won the Portuguese league title three times, takes over as Milan’s new head coach. Conceição, 50, brings extensive Serie A experience as a former winger for Lazio (winning the league in 2000), Parma, and Inter.

Milan, overshadowed in recent years by rivals Inter, is set to participate in the Italian Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, facing Juventus in the semifinals this Friday. Fans recently expressed dissatisfaction with the club’s owners during a 125th-anniversary celebration, criticizing the lack of ambition and calling on U.S.-based RedBird Capital Partners to sell the club.