According to La Repubblica, Zlatan Ibrahimovic considers Antonio Conte the ideal replacement for Stefano Pioli and will have a key role in negotiations with the ex-Juventus and Inter coach.
Pioli’s contract with Milan expires in 2025 but multiple sources in Italy claim it’s unlikely that the Parma-born coach will remain in charge of the Rossoneri next season.
Conte has emerged as the leading candidate for the role, and according to a fresh report from La Repubblica newspaper, the ex-Inter and Juventus coach is seen as the ideal replacement for Pioli.
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New director Ibrahimovic is said to be a big fan of Conte and is on good terms with the serial Serie A-winning coach even if this doesn’t mean the 54-year-old will surely replace Pioli next season.
His hefty salary and demands in the transfer window as well as his reluctance to see one between Mike Maignan, Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao potentially leave in June, are said to be ‘obstacles’ in negotiations, even if Conte strongly wants to return to Serie A after leaving Tottenham by mutual agreement last year.
- Read more – Mixed reports on Conte replacing Pioli at Milan
According to the report, Thiago Motta, Raffaele Palladino, Roberto De Zerbi and even Jurgen Klopp would be considered by Milan if Conte refuses to sign for the Rossoneri.
I really wish he wouldn’t.