Conceicao, the new Milan coach, hopes for a top four finish

Sergio Conceicao, the new manager of AC Milan, has set his sights on a Champions League qualifying slot after the team’s bad start left them seventh in Serie A and outside of the European spots.

After six months in charge, Portuguese manager Paulo Fonseca was fired due to Milan’s poor performance, and the Portuguese was named manager on Monday.

In the Italian Super Cup semi-final between Milan and Juventus in Riyadh on Friday, Conceicao will leave with his team for Saudi Arabia and his first match as manager. Thursday’s matchup between Inter Milan and Atalanta is the other semifinal.

However, finishing in the top four and earning a spot in Europe’s top club competition—which they have won seven times—is the primary goal. Out of the 32 teams in the Champions League this season, they are ranked 12th in terms of playoff seeding.

“Reentering the Champions League is what we all want Milan to do. “We are Milan,” Conceicao declared during his first press conference with Milan on Tuesday.
“If I’m present, it indicates that something went wrong, which is not good.

The amount of time to get ready for the match against Juventus is limited. We don’t whine or offer an explanation.

Milan is now five points behind sixth-place Juventus, who currently hold the final European qualification berth, and eight points outside of the top four with 27 points from 17 games.

After considering the difficulties that lie ahead, Conceicao stated that he anticipated the players would put their best into the game.

There will always be eleven players who are content and others who are not. However, it is expected of them everyone to provide their best effort,” he stated. “Pressure is part of football, especially at a big club like Milan.”

Instead of talking about the January transfer window, the 50-year-old chose to spend more time getting to know his team.

“I want to know all of the players, young and old. “It’s unfair to discuss the market before that,” he stated.

Ibrahimovic expresses regret.

Before Conceicao’s press conference, Milan senior adviser Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who played for the team for multiple stints, offered his thoughts on Fonseca’s brief tenure as manager.

The former Sweden striker stated, “I want to thank Fonseca for what he has done and for the professional that he is before we begin with Conceicao.”
“But he wasn’t able to achieve consistency in results and when you’re at Milan results are decisive.”

Ibrahimovic agreed that Fonseca shouldn’t have been forced to address the media following the 1-1 draw against AS Roma at home on December 29 when the Portuguese player claimed he was unaware of his dismissal.

“After the game, we made the error of sending him to the press conference, and we decided to fire him. Ibrahimovic apologized to Paulo and the supporters.

“I understand the fans’ disappointment with recent results and the club’s overall leadership,” the Swede added.

“Until our objectives are met, we won’t be content. Among the aims is the Supercoppa. We all have to accept responsibility; it is not just the coach’s job.”