Sergio Conceicao reflects on Milan experience: ‘Instability, management didn’t support me’
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 27: Sergio Conceicao, the Head Coach of AC Milan, observes the scene prior to the Serie A match between Bologna and AC Milan at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on February 27, 2025, in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) Former Milan head coach Sergio Conceicao expresses that he feels he lacked substantial backing from the Rossoneri’s upper management during his brief period at San Siro last season, highlighting a ‘club-wide instability’ that affected his team’s performance: ‘That’s why I take pride in what we achieved’. Conceicao took over as head coach from Paulo Fonseca on December 30, 2024, after the latter’s dismissal with the team sitting in eighth place in the Serie A standings, at significant risk of missing European qualifications. Conceicao’s reign began wonderfully: he secured victories against Juventus 2-1 and inter 3-2 in his first two games, ultimately leading to a Supercoppa Italiana triumph. @acmilan“I recall those moments, intense sessions with video reviews and motivational discussions to reach the players mentally. We beat my son Cisco’s Juventus, and then Inter on a comeback; I was emotional,” Conceicao shared in a recent chat with La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Portuguese explained to La Gazzetta why he chose to smoke a cigar in the locker room after the Supercoppa Italiana final against Inter, a moment that has gained viral attention across several social media outlets. “It was a vow,” he stated. “The players had observed videos and asked me to smoke one if we succeeded. I’d done it 11 times with Porto post-trophy wins, more than any other manager. So, I repeated it.” Conceicao, who is currently managing Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, was questioned about his predictions for Monday night’s Supercoppa Italiana final featuring Napoli and Bologna. BOLOGNA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 09: Jhon Lucumi of Bologna FC 1909 competes for possession against Rasmus Hojlund of Napoli during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and SSC Napoli at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on November 09, 2025, in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)“I’m not showing any favoritism here, nor do I wish to discuss individual players, because then the media will say we’re aiming to sign them,” he chuckled. “I’ll be watching the match; Bologna and Napoli provide compelling football. “The clash between Conte and Italiano will serve as a showcase for Italian football. Antonio is as thorough as I am, and oftentimes, that obsession overcomes talent. Vincenzo, on the other hand, promotes beautiful play, to the extent that we lost the Coppa Italia final to him last year; that left a huge disappointment.” Conceicao on Milan experience: ‘Management didn’t support me’ Despite a promising start, Conceicao’s Milan chapter concluded with his termination at the end of the 2024-25 campaign following an eighth-place league finish that did not qualify the team for any European competitions. Regardless of their league position, Conceicao reflects on his time as “Positive.” MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 23: Sergio Conceicao, Head Coach of AC Milan, recognizes the fans after the Coppa Italia Semi-Final match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 23, 2025, in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)He elaborated: “Since 2016, only two coaches have secured trophies with the Rossoneri: Pioli won the Scudetto, and I did as well. Adding up the points during my tenure showed we were on track for the Europa League, aiming for fifth place. “The outcomes were promising; I think of the two derby wins and the triumph against Roma. I regret the Coppa Italia final but there were certain aspects that troubled me.” When probed for more details, Conceicao remarked: “There was a club-wide instability, the environment surrounding the team was unfavorable. That’s why I take pride in our achievements. “Moreover, the management did not offer me support. I’ll provide an instance: After our Supercoppa victory, we faced Cagliari. Already at that stage, rumors were surfacing that the club was scouting other coaches. My focus was on working hard and securing wins. I didn’t have time to address issues on every front.” And when he was asked if he would have remained in Milan under improved circumstances, Conceicao stated: “Yes, if changes had been made.” epa12012425 AC Milan’s head coach Sergio Conceicao reacts during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Fiorentina at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan, Italy, 05 April 2025. EPA-EFE/Daniel Dal ZennaroDoes Conceicao believe the Milan players let him down or even betrayed him? “Absolutely not; quite the contrary, they supported me throughout,” Conceicao answered. “Theo (Hernandez) mentioned it in a previous interview: After Feyenoord, when people suggested he’d been sent off intentionally, I stood up for him. Many of them contacted me after my departure. “I demand rigor and intensity, but also know when to relax. If someone arrives late, or an extra kilo over, or similar issues arise, I find that unacceptable. For me, at the end of the day, all players are treated equally.
Published: 2025-12-22 12:42:00
source: football-italia.net
