AC Milan sack Paulo Fonseca after 1-1 draw with Roma, Sergio Conceicao to sign six-month deal

AC Milan have dismissed manager Paulo Fonseca following a 1-1 draw with Serie A rivals AS Roma at the San Siro, according to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

The Portuguese boss has been walking a tightrope, and the club has eventually pulled the trigger after an uninspiring tenure.

Milan have won only one of their previous four league games, and even the 1-0 victory over Venezia was unconvincing.

With a semi-final Coppa Italia clash against Juventus coming up, the Rossoneri decided they needed a change in the dugout.

Apart from the derby win over Inter Milan, the performances and results have been poor.

Fonseca’s run-ins with several top Milan players did not bode well for him long-term. He arrived and immediately picked fights with Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez.

Leao and Hernandez have run proceedings on the left wing, and that flank is considered Milan’s most potent weapon.

However, Fonseca took offence with Leao’s defensive contribution and had a bone to pick with Hernandez for no visible reason, even starting youngster Alex Jimenez over the France international.

His treatment of Hernandez hasn’t helped Milan convince the player to sign a new contract, and the former Real Madrid star is reportedly looking for an escape route this summer.

Milan are now closing in on a deal to hire Sergio Conceicao for six months. He was on the club’s radar alongside Julen Lopetegui before they settled on Fonseca.

Not only does he stand out as a title-winning manager, but his ability to coach a watertight defence will appeal to the Rossoneri.

Conceicao left Porto nine days after winning the Portuguese Cup. He spent seven seasons as their manager, with the final victory over Sporting CP being his 11th trophy.

Only Jorge Jesus (12) has racked up more trophies in Portuguese football. He left with a remarkable record of 2.29 points per game, better than Ruben Amorim (2.28).