The post-Allegri era began on Monday as the head coach was fired, but who do AC Milan want to replace him?
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan had actually been evaluating a change in head coach for a few weeks, to be ready for the worst case scenario. First, CEO Giorgio Furlani and technical director Geoffrey Moncada started plotting, then Gerry Cardinale and his right-hand man Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
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There’s one name who seems to unite everyone: Andoni Iraola. There’s been contact between the club and the manager, who terminated his contract with Bournemouth despite finishing sixth in the Premier League and leading them into Europe for the first time.
The Basque coach is popular and is on a shortlist from which the chosen one will emerge. Among those being monitored are Xavi (who has significant experience at Barcelona), Oliver Glasner (who will leave Crystal Palace) and Mauricio Pochettino (Christian Pulisic’s manager with the USMNT).
How long will it take for the choice to be made? Within a week. A sign that something has moved and that something will move quickly. But beware of surprises, as many intermediaries and agents are offering candidates.
Andoni in pole
Iraola’s salary was less than €1.8m net per season. Clearly he would earn more at Milan, especially if there’s no termination of Allegri’s contract (which would weigh heavily on the budget).
The Basque coach is popular for his attacking, modern and high-pressure style of football. It’s the complete opposite of Allegri’s, which is what the Rossoneri seem to want. Liverpool are considering him, although the Reds seem inclined to keep Arne Slot.
Other contenders for Iraola are Benfica (for the post-Mourinho era), Crystal Palace (for the post-Glasner era) and Bayer Leverkusen. Unai Emery seems untouchable because he performed well with Aston Villa, so he can be crossed off the list.
Xavi and Glasner are on Milan’s radar too. The Spaniard is without a team and would prefer to lead a national team (he’s been offered Morocco after the World Cup), but he wouldn’t say no to an offer from Milan. Ibrahimovic played with Xavi at Barcelona too, so the connection is there.
Glasner has done a good job wherever he has been. He won in his homeland in Germany (with Eintracht Frankfurt), and in England. He knows how to adapt to what he has, get results and make the most of the players at his disposal.
Mauricio Pochettino – unlike Iraola, Xavi, and Glasner – is under contract with the United States and is immersing himself in a World Cup where his national team will be the home team and will face a lot of pressure.
Ibrahimovic will see Pochettino overseas because Zlatan will be a commentator for Fox Sports, but the timeline for making a decision should be tighter. Keep an eye on a surprise option: Mark van Bommel, often seen at San Siro in recent months, but he hasn’t coached for two years.