AC Milan are still looking for the right men to lead them into a new era, with a lot of stories doing the rounds.
La Gazzetta dello Sport write that Milan and Liverpool have a similar story in the sense both finished fifth and sacked their managers. However, the big difference is that the Premier League will have five teams in the Champions League, meaning the Reds will be in it.
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The two clubs have further intertwined paths. Andoni Iraola – who until a few days ago was in Milan’s sights – is expected to replace Arne Slot. Iraola finished the season at the helm of Bournemouth, where he chased Liverpool in the league, only to fall one place behind.
All signs for the succession point to the Spaniard, who Milan has also identified as a possible heir to Massimiliano Allegri. A young coach, to break the tradition of Max’s defensive football. He expressed interest at first but then recoiled, clearly not convinced by the offer.
From Iraola to Slot?
Iraola’s desire was to remain in England, convinced that after Crystal Palace a more ambitious contender could emerge. Liverpool, seeking a resurgence after finishing fifth in the league and having been held up in the Champions League quarter-finals, are that club.
The dismissal of Slot was both surprising and not so surprising: after last season, his relationship with Liverpool was already strained. Slot joins the ranks of international managers awaiting a new destination: 47 years old and with a highly respectable resume.
In recent years, he has almost always won: the Dutch league with Feyenoord in 2022-23, the domestic cup in 2023-24, and then the leap to become champions of England in 2024-25. Those who expected yet another year at the top were ultimately disappointed.
Other reports are coming from abroad: for example, that Milan are also interested in the now-free Slot. This rumour hasn’t been confirmed, while the agent is simply saying ‘no comment’.
The agent, however, has a name that could facilitate a connection: Rafaela Pimenta, Mino Raiola’s former right-hand woman, who is in constant contact with Ibra. Not only that, but Gerry Cardinale has business dealings with Fenway Sports Group, the owners of Liverpool.
It is still too early to add Slot to the list of coaches who are candidates for the Rossoneri, a race led by Oliver Glasner (who will meet Milan on Tuesday). Glasner is endorsed by Rangnick, the Austria coach who could have a meeting with the federation tomorrow that could be indicative of the future.