Milan have confirmed in an official statement that their second team will be called ‘Milan Futuro’ and will be coached by ex-Rossoneri defender Daniele Bonera.
Milan have confirmed the creation of their second team, which will compete in Italy’s third division, Serie C, in 2024-25.
“AC Milan announces that it has formally received, following the decisions made by the Federal Council of the FIGC, a positive response to the application for registration for the Serie C Now Championship of the team of talented young players, which will be named “MILAN FUTURO“. The acceptance of the registration application has thus completed the roster of 60 teams that will participate in the Championship managed by Lega Pro in the 24/25 season,” the Rossoneri said in a statement.
“The sports project of Milan Futuro, the latest step on a virtuous path involving the entire youth sector up to the First Team, was created with the main objective of enhancing the talent of young players who have grown up in the Rossoneri Youth Sector, who have already distinguished themselves in recent seasons in their respective leagues, in the Youth League, with their National Youth Teams and completing their physical-athletic maturation process. Furthermore, it will allow the players to compete in professional football for their own Club.
“Daniele Bonera, who made 201 appearances for the Rossoneri over 9 seasons, will be the head coach of Milan Futuro. In 2019, he began his journey as a technical assistant for AC Milan’s first team. In 2020, he obtained the UEFA PRO qualification after attending the course in Coverciano.
“The team will gather on 8 July and train at Milanello in close contact with Paulo Fonseca’s Team, effectively forming a single group. The first official matches are scheduled for 11 and 18 August, when the first and second preliminary rounds of the Serie C Italian Cup will be played, while the start of the championship is scheduled for 25 August.
“Tomorrow, Friday, 28 June, the team will also know the group in which they will compete in the Championship and what teams they will face.”
Milan joined Juventus and Atalanta, who already have a U23 squad playing in Italy’s third division.
Juventus were the first Serie A club to launch a second-team project in 2018. It was initially called Juventus U23 and is now named Juventus NextGen.
The introduction of second teams is seen as a key step in the development of young Italian talents.
More and more coaches and directors have been complaining that the gulf between the Primavera League and Serie A is too big in terms of technique, experience, and physicality.
As announced by the Rossoneri, Milan will know their opponents for the next season tomorrow, Friday, June 28.