Former player Zlatan Ibrahimovic, now an advisor at AC Milan, presented the club's new coach on Thursday afternoon. Paulo Fonseca succeeds Stefano Pioli.
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The Portuguese coach, Paulo Fonseca, born in Mozambique, has signed a three-year contract with AC Milan.
The decision comes after the mutual termination of Stefano Pioli's contract, which was originally set to run until mid-2025. The club emphasized that this was not a dismissal but a mutual agreement. Pioli had a notable tenure at Milan, leading the team to their first national title in a decade two years ago.
In his capacity as an advisor, Zlatan Ibrahimovic took the stage to present the new coach. 'We deliberated for a long time and concluded that Paulo brings the right identity to the team, characterized by an attacking style of football,' Ibrahimovic said, expressing confidence in Fonseca's ability to lead Milan forward. There are also speculations that Fonseca might work with Joshua Zirkzee, who is reportedly linked to a transfer to Milan by various international media outlets. Additionally, fellow international Tijjani Reijnders remains under contract with the club.
Fonseca arrives from Lille, where his contract recently expired. During his two-year tenure in France, he successfully elevated Lille back to the upper echelons of Ligue 1. In his first season, Lille finished fifth, and in the most recent season, they secured fourth place. Under his leadership, Lille also reached the quarterfinals of the Conference League this season, although they were ultimately defeated by Aston Villa.
Fonseca's track record and coaching philosophy align with Milan's ambitions for the future. His appointment is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the team's performance domestically and in European competitions. With his experience and tactical acumen, Milan fans and the club's management are hopeful for a successful era under his guidance.
