According to Sky Sport Italia, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola held discussions with AC Milan over a week ago, prior to the club’s Champions League qualification failure and the dismissal of Massimiliano Allegri. Unai Emery of Aston Villa is also reported to be a candidate on Milan’s radar.
Multiple Italian and English sources indicate that Iraola is the leading candidate to assume the managerial role at San Siro for the upcoming season. He has reportedly expressed his willingness to leave Bournemouth for a new challenge after successfully securing Europa League qualification with the club.
Iraola Reportedly Top of Milan’s List
This development follows AC Milan’s decision to simultaneously sack coach Allegri, sporting director Igli Tare, CEO Giorgio Furlani, and technical director Geoffrey Moncada. The club’s failure to secure Champions League qualification was cited as the reason for these drastic changes.
However, Gianluca Di Marzio, a transfer expert for Sky Sport Italia, suggests that initial contact with Iraola had already been made last week. This implies that Milan was planning for Allegri’s departure even before the final outcome of their Serie A campaign was determined.
While Iraola is considered the primary target and favored choice by RedBird owner Gerry Cardinale, he is not the only name being considered. Other individuals reportedly on Milan’s shortlist include Xavi, who has been out of management since leaving Barcelona two years ago, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, former Juventus coach Thiago Motta, and Bologna’s Vincenzo Italiano.
Emery recently achieved success by winning the Europa League with Aston Villa, while Italiano has also been linked with a move to Napoli.
