Sergio Conceicao has already entered the hearts of AC Milan fans by winning a trophy after two games, but it could have all been very different.
According to what is being reported by SudInfo (via La Gazzetta dello Sport), Conceiçao was close to signing for the Belgian national team in December, who were looking – and apparently still are looking – for a replacement for Domenico Tedesco.
The Belgian source even claim that taking the job would have guaranteed him a salary more or less double what he has been earning in these six months at Milan. The deal didn’t close because Sergio was evidently not 100% convinced of the opportunity.
Tedesco is at odds with Belgium, a national team that many believe have their best days behind them giving the fact that a lot of their stars have become the ‘old guard’ and are ageing. Thus, the Red Devils are going through a difficult process of renewal.
It’s no coincidence that in recent months Conceiçao also said no to some Brazilian teams and an offer from England. Instead, he hoped to have a chance at a high level after leaving Porto and when Milan came along, he accepted without thinking about it.
He sees the Rossoneri as a great club, and Italian football is something he has always wanted to return to after playing in Serie A for so long. That’s why he signed a one-and-a-half-year contract, guaranteed for only the first six months.
The idea was to earn a stay based on results, and it would be fair to say that it is a case of ‘so far, so good’ after beating Juventus and Inter to win a trophy after less than 10 days.
