Serie A runners-up AC Milan have announced the appointment of Paulo Fonseca as their new manager on a three-year contract.
After five years in charge, Stefano Pioli has left the San Siro at the end of the season following a second consecutive trophyless campaign.
Milan finished 19 points behind new champions Inter Milan and mutually agreed to part ways with the Scudetto-winning manager.
Despite being linked with Antonio Conte and Roberto De Zerbi, the club has chosen Fonseca as Pioli’s successor.
Fonseca returns to Italian football after three years, having previously managed Roma for two seasons. During his tenure, Roma finished fifth and seventh, leading to his dismissal in 2021 and the subsequent hiring of Jose Mourinho.
The 54-year-old then moved to France to coach Lille. In his first season, Fonseca's Lille finished fifth, earning praise for their attacking style. In the 2023/24 season, Lille narrowly missed out on automatic Champions League qualification, finishing fourth, just two points behind third-placed Brest.
Fonseca’s appointment marks the start of a new chapter for Milan.
One of his initial tasks will be to sign a new center-forward to replace Olivier Giroud, with Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee being a primary target. Should negotiations with Zirkzee's agent, Kia Joorabchian, fall through, Milan may consider Jonathan David from Lille.
Additionally, Milan aims to strengthen their squad by adding a deep-lying midfielder and a quality center-back as they strive to close the gap on Inter following an underwhelming league campaign.
