Sergio Conceicao acknowledges the difficulty of being the head coach of Milan, particularly during a demanding period for the Rossoneri. He believes that he and his players would have benefited from greater support from the club during the latter half of the 2024-25 season.

Conceicao took over as head coach of the Rossoneri on December 30, 2024, succeeding his compatriot Paulo Fonseca. His contract was set to run until the end of the 2025-26 season and included a termination clause, which Milan exercised at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season after failing to qualify for European competitions.

Conceicao has since resumed his managerial career with Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League. He recently spoke with La Repubblica to share his thoughts on his time managing the Rossoneri.

Conceicao reflects on his Milan tenure: ‘We required significant protection from the club’

Within his first two matches as Milan’s head coach, Conceicao secured the Supercoppa Italiana. He also guided the team to the Coppa Italia final a few months later, though the league campaign ended disappointingly with an eighth-place finish.

“We were playing every three days; training happened during matches. There was a lot of video analysis, and less on-pitch work, but I’m not complaining. I was aware of the schedule when I signed,” Conceicao stated when reflecting on his period at San Siro.

“However, they were six positive months,” he added. “We reached two finals. We lost one, it’s true, but things could have unfolded differently.”

There’s no question that a club like Milan carries significant expectations.

“It’s not easy to be the Milan coach,” Conceicao remarked. “It’s a club historically accustomed to competing at the highest levels and winning Champions League finals. This is a challenging time, though.”

“In Milan, after winning the Supercoppa Italiana, a draw against Cagliari was enough for rumors about my successor to start circulating. And no one refuted them.”

Conceicao feels that he and his players could have used more backing from the club.

“I’ve been in dressing rooms for 25 years, and I know that instability from the club permeates down. It wasn’t easy to play without the fans, who had abandoned the Curva. And with social media, anything said about us reached the players. We needed substantial protection from the club.”

Conceicao also identified the two players he considered his primary ‘leaders’ during his time with Milan.

“A leader is someone who sets an example, even in their conduct off the pitch. Pulisic and Gabbia were leaders due to the examples they set, but they weren’t the only ones.”

English Translation:

Conceicao: ‘It’s not easy to be the coach of Milan, rumors started after one draw’

Sergio Conceicao admits that it is ‘not easy’ to be the head coach of Milan, especially during a difficult period for the Rossoneri. He suggests that he and his players could have benefited from more protection from the club during the latter half of the 2024-25 campaign.

Conceicao took over as head coach of the Rossoneri on December 30, 2024, replacing his compatriot Paulo Fonseca. He signed a contract until the end of the 2025-26 season, which included a break clause that Milan decided to activate at the end of the 2024-25 season after failing to secure European qualification.

Conceicao has since returned to management with Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League but recently spoke with La Repubblica to discuss his time in charge of the Rossoneri.

Conceicao reflects on Milan tenure: ‘We needed a lot of protection from the club’

Conceicao managed to win the Supercoppa Italiana within his first two matches as Milan’s coach and also led the team to the Coppa Italia final a few months later. However, the league campaign concluded with a disappointing eighth-place finish.

“We played every three days; training happened during matches. There was a lot of video analysis and not much on-pitch work, but I’m not complaining. I knew the schedule when I signed,” Conceicao said, reflecting on his time at San Siro.

“But they were six positive months,” he continued. “We made it to two finals. We lost one, it’s true, but it could have gone differently.”

There is no denying the weight of expectation at a club like Milan.

“It’s not easy to be the Milan coach,” said Conceicao. “It’s a team that is historically used to playing at the highest levels and winning in Champions League finals. It’s a difficult moment, though.”

“In Milan, after the victory in the Supercoppa Italiana, a draw against Cagliari was enough for rumors to start circulating about who would take my place. And nobody denied it.”

Conceicao feels that he and his players could have done with more protection from the club.

“I’ve been in dressing rooms for 25 years, and I know that instability from the club reaches there too. It wasn’t easy to play without the fans, who deserted the Curva. And with social media, whatever was said about us got through to the players. We needed a lot of protection from the club.”

Conceicao also revealed which two players he considered his biggest ‘leaders’ during his time with Milan.

“A leader is someone who sets an example, even in the way they behave away from the pitch. Pulisic and Gabbia were leaders because of the examples they set, but they weren’t the only ones.”