Di Stefano suggests Fonseca is anything but a ‘yes man’: “Quite a discovery”

Paulo Fonseca has been heavily criticised at points this season, but the AC Milan head coach could be a revelation, according to a Sky journalist. 

When it was first announced that Stefano Pioli’s successor was Fonseca, there were a lot of questions asked. To many, it seemed like Milan had taken a cheaper side-step rather than moving forward and showing their intent with a higher-level manager.

In the first few weeks, it seemed that the scrutiny was right as the Rossoneri entered the first international break without a win, and questions were asked of Fonseca’s future. Now, his position is quite strong, and with each game, it seems his ideas are being further cemented.

Questions will probably remain until there is complete clarity on his system and methods of coaching. However, it seems like the summer decision was a good one. Peppe Di Stefano offered his thoughts on the manager to Sky and his words have been relayed by Radio Rossonera.

“It has changed a bit compared to recent years, there is a new policy. The non-constant presence of the management, by choice, has forced Fonseca to self-manage. In the past, it used to happen that if two players argued with each other in training, the coach would continue to coach and the manager present would take the two disputants aside and talk to them.

“With the current situation, Fonseca does it all. Personally, he is quite a discovery… I thought he was a yes man, or emotionally fragile, but he is not. I really admire his press conferences, because he explains things to you. And he also does that with the team.

“I hope for him and for the team that we can now find a rhythm. Then the problem is not the defeats, but the side events that took place in Florence, with Lazio.

“Now we have to get down to the concrete, because the complicated but at the same time exciting weeks begin. You play in Bologna and you have to do well, at home against Napoli and you have to show your muscles, in Monza in the Silvio Berlusconi match and in Madrid in one of the most beautiful matches in Europe.

“It’s nice to play for Milan and follow them, but Milan must now be Milan.”