Sérgio Conceição says that the lack of time is the enemy of perfection and that only now will he be able to train properly. He made his debut for AC Milan on January 3 and played his last match on the 8th of this month, totaling 18 games in 65 days. He had been playing with less than four days between matches, which, he suggests, had an impact.
Sérgio Conceição refuses to engage with the persistent rumors circulating in Italy regarding his potential departure from AC Milan.
For the Portuguese coach, these claims are nothing more than baseless speculation, which he even considers a personal insult. Having taken charge of the Rossoneri in early January, Conceição has had to deal with relentless scrutiny over his position, with speculation suggesting that his tenure could be cut short if Milan fails to secure a Champions League spot for next season.
“I’ve been hearing these rumors for a month and a half… I can’t control what others say. I only control what happens in training. Sometimes it feels like there is a lack of respect for those who work, but I know that’s just how football is,” the coach said, clearly frustrated yet resigned to the reality of managing a club with Milan’s stature. With expectations sky-high, even minor setbacks quickly fuel speculation about his future, but the Portuguese manager remains adamant that he is the right man for the job.
Rather than being distracted by the rumors, Conceição is focused on rebuilding Milan into a competitive force. He remains convinced that he still has the capacity to lead the Rossoneri back to the level expected of them, but time is his main request a luxury he feels he hasn’t been given in his first few months in charge. “We are working to find balance, and all departments need to contribute to that. We had a video meeting recently, but I prefer working on the field. We have been rehearsing the transition from attack to defense, but we need to work more on stopping our opponents. The players are understanding what they need to do. You can’t be perfect overnight, but we are doing everything we can,” he explained, emphasizing that the process of reshaping a team does not happen instantly.
Despite the challenging circumstances, the former Porto boss has refused to use the fact that he arrived mid-season as an excuse for Milan’s struggles. "I have no regrets about joining at the end of December because I already knew the team’s schedule. I was aware that I was arriving mid-season. I’m just trying to instill my playing principles. And now it’s easier because I have more time to work," he added, pointing to the upcoming international break as an opportunity to properly train the team for the first time since he arrived.
Since his debut for AC Milan on January 3, when the Rossoneri secured a 2-1 victory against Juventus, until their latest match on March 8, a 3-2 win at Lecce, Conceição has endured a grueling schedule, overseeing 18 games in just 65 days an average of less than four days between matches. With such a packed fixture list, meaningful training sessions have been almost nonexistent, leaving Conceição with little opportunity to properly implement his tactical philosophy.
Now, with at least two "clean" weeks to work with his squad, he will finally have the chance to rehearse and fine-tune key tactical mechanisms that have been difficult to refine in such a relentless schedule. However, not all players will be available for training, as several key figures have been called up for international duty, including João Félix and Rafael Leão, both summoned by Portugal. Despite this, Conceição is determined to make the most of the time he has, seeing it as a turning point in Milan’s season.
The Serie A fixture list this weekend could work in Milan’s favor—if they can take care of their own business by securing a win against Como, currently sitting 13th in the league and one of the weakest away teams, having earned just 10 points on the road this season. Only Parma, Venezia, and Monza have performed worse away from home, making this a game that Milan simply cannot afford to drop points in.
A victory would be particularly crucial because the weekend’s matchups feature direct clashes between Milan’s closest rivals in the race for European qualification. Atalanta faces Inter Milan, Fiorentina hosts Juventus, and Bologna meets Lazio, meaning that at least three of the seven teams ahead of Milan will drop points. If Milan capitalizes on this opportunity, they could make a significant step toward closing the gap in the standings.
Currently sitting in eighth place with 44 points, AC Milan finds itself eight points behind fourth-placed Juventus, the final spot granting Champions League qualification for next season. The battle for European places remains fiercely contested, with clubs like Bologna, Lazio, and Atalanta all fighting for the same objective. Conceição is fully aware that the margin for error is shrinking, and any setback in the coming weeks could have serious consequences for Milan’s ambitions.
One of the narratives that has emerged in recent weeks is the rotation of Rafael Leão, which has led to speculation about a potential rift between the forward and the coach. The Portuguese star has played over 60 minutes in only 10 of the 18 matches since Conceição took charge, fueling questions about his standing in the team. However, the Milan boss has categorically denied any problems between them.
“Rafa is one of the best players in the Italian league and could also be among the best in the world. He is always eager to play, whether from the first minute or the 45th. He is ready to help the team. We talk, and we have an excellent relationship,” Conceição assured, seeking to put an end to any speculation about a potential falling-out.
While Conceição has been forced to make tactical adjustments, rotating key players in response to fatigue and fixture congestion, he insists that Leão remains a crucial part of his plans. The forward’s ability to create game-changing moments has been instrumental for Milan in recent seasons, and the Portuguese manager recognizes the need to get the best out of him as the team enters the final stretch of the campaign.
With crucial matches ahead and a rare extended training period during the international break, the coming weeks could prove to be decisive for both Conceição’s future at Milan and the club’s hopes of securing a return to the Champions League. For now, the Portuguese coach remains focused on proving himself, shutting out the external noise and concentrating on what he can control Milan’s performances on the pitch. However, he knows that results must come quickly, as patience is rarely a virtue in a club of Milan’s stature.
The challenge is clear: win games, climb the table, and silence the doubters. Anything less could see the speculation about his future turn into reality.
