Sergio Conceicao must improve his record with AC Milan, this much is simple. However, if he does not, his own reputation is at stake, and this is problematic.
Management is very much a game of stocks, if you do well, your stocks increase, if you don’t, they fall. Take legendary Milan manager Arrigo Sacchi, previously a shoe salesman, to one of the most renowned managers in Italian history, though of course, this can go both ways.
Conceicao’s story is much different, as many coaches’ stories are, but he arrived in Milano with a stock that was relatively high after an extended period of success with Porto.
Arriving and winning the Supercoppa Italiana saw that increase, but in recent months, he has been viewed as a problem, and after just a few months, the club are now looking for another solution – an outcome which should not have been reached this soon.
Despite the future being clear, the Portuguese has a mission in mind, reports Gazzetta dello Sport (as seen below).
Beginning of the End
At present, Conceicao knows his situation and he knows its outcome, there is not really any hiding from it. Nevertheless, he will not budge until then, because he still believes in his players.
In fact, the coach is now training more with the team than he ever has before, and this is ‘convincing’ him that there is the chance to change results. He knew his mission would not be easy from the start, and his methods have not really shown, but with a chance to salvage something available, he wants to grab the opportunity.
Ultimately, he wants to win another trophy – the Coppa Italia – and prove his credentials once more. The time is now, in that regard.
Something more needed
It starts with resolve, as all difficult things do. Conceicao demands one thing to return more than anything – resilience. We saw it at the weekend, when his side overturned a two-goal deficit, and he hopes to see more of that in the weeks to come – though without the element of danger.
More balance is required, yes, but he also wants to see more fight within his players – something that many Rossonero would likely echo.
Studying begins
It starts, again, this weekend against Como, where the Diavolo should be expected to win against a lower-ranked side. However, Cesc Fabregas’ side have been enigmatic this season, and have proved to be no easy opponent – which has caught Milan’s eye.
Because of this, he will give the Spaniard a lot of respect, and studying for the game has already begun, with the Portuguese considering the continuation of the 4-2-3-1 formation that would see Tijjani Reijnders remain in an advanced role.
The idea of Rafael Leao also must be considered, he has proved to be decisive, but whether this can be replicated over longer periods needs to be proved.
