There is a not too unrealistic world in which Sergio Conceicao could hold the distinction of winning two trophies inside six months at AC Milan and still leave.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the fates of some coaches already seem irremediably sealed, with Thiago Motta desperately trying to convince Juventus that he should stay and Conceiçao halfway out of the door.
The Rossoneri are looking for a new sporting director, then they will start working on the head coach to take over from Conceicao. They are thinking concretely about the 2025-26 season, and yet there are still objectives to fight for this season.
Of course, winning a trophy doesn’t guarantee staying. Maurizio Sarri was fired by Juve after winning the Scudetto, the last one that they won, while Andrea Pirlo said goodbye after winning two trophies and still getting into the Champions League.
Conceiçao’s side are currently in ninth place in this curious league table, in which there is a great crowd in the race for the top four. There is also a Coppa Italia semi-final to contest with the hopes of getting to the final in Rome.
The Supercoppa Italiana arrived after two games under the Portuguese following victories against Juve and Inter. This time, if it were to happen, it would mean having eliminated the Nerazzurri in two very heartfelt derbies.
Winning the cup would also mean qualification for the Europa League, with the possibility of playing the Supercoppa Italiana too. It won’t be the same as the Champions League, but – in addition to the satisfaction – money would still be guaranteed.
Of course, all this would not be enough to mitigate the bitterness of the elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Feyenoord, for which Conceiçao is not among the main culprit. When you lose, it is clear, no one is free from blame.
Conceiçao, perhaps through gritted teeth, could point out that Milan lost the first leg due to a sensational blunder by Mike Maignan and that were knocked out in the return leg – with the team leading by a goal – for a baffling Theo Hernandez red card.
In short, Conceiçao could at least hope to leave a much less negative memory than it may appear today, with two trophies in the bag and a European spot secured. In two months and we will know: red or black, like a roulette.
