According to Alessandro Jacobone, Milan Football Club is purportedly engaged in discreet negotiations with Brighton’s coach, De Zerbi, for the managerial position, although Thiago Motta remains a prominent contender. Despite Stefano Pioli’s existing contract at the San Siro Stadium extending until 2025, there are mounting speculations within the Italian media suggesting Milan’s intentions to secure a new manager for the 2024-2025 season.
Motta, De Zerbi, and Conte are purportedly the primary contenders for the position, with Italian journalist Alessandro Jacobone offering the latest insights into the status of Bologna’s coach and De Zerbi. Motta’s current contract at Stadio Dall’Ara is set to expire in June, coinciding with Milan’s purported interest in acquiring Bologna’s player, Joshua Zirkzee, who has amassed 10 goals in 26 Serie A matches this season.
“It is interesting that Milan are using a courtship tactic so that the player really feels the club’s desire to bring him to the Rossoneri,” Jacobone told Calciomercato.it as quoted by Sempremilan.
“This I know has been appreciated, but it is too early to say whether this will be enough. However, I know for sure that he would like to continue playing in Serie A and if he were to be paired with Thiago Motta, it would be ideal for a player to make the jump to a big team. Zirkzee has shown that he is not afraid of the San Siro and could do so with a coach who has exalted him, it would be a useful comfort zone for his growth. I also understand that Bayern do not want to bring him back home.”
In reference to De Zerbi, Jacobone asserted, “I am aware that AC Milan is currently pursuing De Zerbi with a degree of discretion. This pursuit is predicated on his expressed desire to return to Italy. It is noteworthy to mention that his associate, Andrea Maldera, maintains connections within the Milanese sphere. Despite the Rossoneri’s intention to pursue De Zerbi, significant obstacles persist. Chief among these is a contractual clause amounting to €13 million, a considerable sum in the context of coaching transactions. However, Milan is determined to surmount these hurdles in recognition of the imperative to strategize for the future.”
De Zerbi, who previously coached Sassuolo, is slated to resume activity in Italy this week as his current team competes in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16 against AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.
While De Zerbi honed his skills within the Milan Academy, he did not ascend to the senior team during his tenure as a footballer.