Sergio Conceição is coming under increasing scrutiny in Milan. According to Corriere dello Sport, AC Milan is unhappy with the inconsistent results under his leadership. Additionally, recent statements by the Portuguese coach are said to have irritated Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Sergio Conceição is coming under increasing scrutiny in Milan as pressure mounts on the Portuguese coach following a series of underwhelming performances.
According to Corriere dello Sport, AC Milan's management is growing frustrated with the inconsistency of results under his leadership, leading to speculation about his long-term future at the club. Adding fuel to the fire, recent remarks by Conceição have reportedly irritated Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has taken on an influential advisory role within the club. The relationship between the two is said to be strained, with Ibrahimovic questioning some of Conceição’s decisions both on and off the pitch.
Conceição took over AC Milan in December last year, stepping in after the dismissal of Paulo Fonseca. At the time, the club was seeking stability and a fresh direction, hoping that Conceição’s tactical prowess and strong personality would steer the team towards success. However, despite a slightly improved points-per-game average, Milan remains seven points adrift of the top four in Serie A, a position that does not sit well with the club’s hierarchy. The pressure is amplified by the 1-0 defeat to Feyenoord in the first leg of their European tie, leaving Milan with an uphill battle in the return fixture. A failure to progress in Europe would be another blow to the Portuguese manager’s credibility, as Milan’s ambitions stretch beyond merely competing they expect to contend for silverware.
Tensions were further highlighted during the match against Feyenoord, where Ibrahimovic was spotted looking visibly frustrated in the stands. According to reports, the Swedish icon was unimpressed with Conceição’s decision to substitute Santiago Gimenez and Rafael Leão for Francesco Camarda and Tammy Abraham in the final minutes of the match in Rotterdam. The move, which was meant to provide fresh attacking options, did not yield the desired impact, leaving Milan with a narrow defeat and Ibrahimovic questioning the tactical choices made in a crucial moment.
Beyond the on-field issues, there appears to be a growing disconnect between Conceição and Milan’s management, particularly regarding the squad's depth and the way resources have been utilized. During the recent transfer window, the club invested in five new players, significantly bolstering the squad. Ibrahimovic and the club’s executives believe this has given the coach all the tools necessary to build a competitive and balanced team. However, Conceição’s comments on the matter have not been well received. When asked about the squad depth and the new arrivals, he stated, "We also have a lot of young players, so technically, I can field more than two teams." This remark was perceived by some within the club as dismissive of the reinforcements brought in and indicative of a lack of appreciation for the squad at his disposal.
The mounting pressure is particularly significant given the short tenure Conceição has had so far. The Portuguese manager has only been in charge for a month and a half, overseeing six Serie A matches, of which three were victories, two ended in draws, and one resulted in a defeat. While these results are not catastrophic, they have not been convincing enough to silence doubts about whether he is the right man to lead Milan forward. Additionally, while the team has secured a place in the Champions League knockout round, the overall performances have not met the expectations of the club’s demanding fanbase.
A key element adding further uncertainty to Conceição’s future is a specific clause in his contract. While he signed a deal until the summer of 2026, AC Milan ensured that they retained an option to part ways with him as early as this summer. The trigger for this potential early departure is linked to Champions League qualification, which is seen as the absolute minimum requirement for continuing the partnership. If Milan fails to secure a place in next season’s Champions League, the club could opt to terminate Conceição’s contract and seek another managerial change, despite having only recently brought him in.
With the season entering a crucial phase, Conceição is running out of time to convince the Milan hierarchy that he deserves to stay at the helm. The upcoming matches will be decisive in shaping his fate, particularly the return leg against Feyenoord and the battle to break into the top four in Serie A. Any further slip-ups could see the club cut ties with him sooner than expected, reinforcing the notion that Milan’s patience is wearing thin. For now, the pressure is mounting, and the Portuguese coach finds himself at a crossroads, needing swift and decisive improvements to avoid becoming another short-lived managerial experiment at San Siro.
