Yahoo Sports Tuttosport: ‘Against everything and everyone’ – how Conceicao is taking the ‘bulldozer’ approach
Sergio Conceicao has already made it very clear that he is uncompromising in his vision regarding what is best for AC Milan, and does not want anyone in his way.
Tuttosport have published a piece titled: ‘Conceicao, the tough guy from Coimbra: against everything and everyone at Milan’. The Portuguese coach’s first month in charge could be a movie, given how much has happened.
The start was a blockbuster: wins against against Juventus and Inter to lift the Supercoppa. Then came he difficulties in Serie A (a home draw with Cagliari and a defeat to Juve), with a more recent upturn through the victories against Girona and Parma, even if the most recent game was in itself chaotic.
All this has been accompanied by a strong attitude from the ex-Porto boss, attention to the daily life of the players reprimanded with strict rules to be respected, the near-brawl with Davide Calabria (which should be condemned, obviously) and bold statement.
“I’m worried. I’m thinking about what to do to change the environment in the dressing room and around the team,” he said after the defeat to Juventus. Before the next game against Girona, he added: “I see too many divisions within this historic club, but the one who loses is Milan.”
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Having arrived at the Rossoneri on December 30, Conceiçao knows that his horizon is limited. He signed a contract until June 2026, and Milan have an option to extend until 2027, but also a clause to unilaterally terminate the relationship at the end of this season, therefore in five months.
For this reason, the Portuguese coach has chosen a path: his own. Conceiçao has gone all-in for his experience at Milan because he sees it as ‘a big opportunity’ and he wants to do it his way, with his ideas, his rules and his rough edges.
He has a difficult character; the directors have understood it and the players are learning it the hard way. The warnings and the scoldings have not been lacking in recent weeks, meaning the Rossoneri have gone from a ‘yes-man’ like Fonseca (who was also tough at times) to the ‘bulldozer’ Conceiçao.
One might say: as long as the results arrive, everything will be manageable, but if difficult and negative moments were to arrive, what will happen? Will everyone always row in the same direction?
Conceiçao has now demonstrated that he wants to do it his way. Fikayo Tomori is wanted by Juventus? He made him a starter and took him off the market. The same thing happened first with Emerson Royal Royal and then with Strahinja Pavlovic.
Even Luka Jovic – someone who has been out of the plans for months and destined for Monza – has played more than Francesco Camarda in the last few games. In short, Conceiçao has chosen the path to follow against all odds: will it be the right one to reach the finish line?
