Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani and coach Stefano Pioli have downplayed the chatter about the future in recent remarks, but the club is indeed looking around ahead of the summer, and Julen Lopetegui has emerged as a new option to take over, Matteo Moretto informs (via SOSFanta).
The Spanish gaffer is appreciated by the hierarchy in particular for his methods, competence, and ability to develop a winning project while grooming youngsters. He’s currently a free agent after spending time at Wolverhampton.
Milan would have to tussle primarily with Bayer Leverkusen if they decided to go after Lopetegui. Xabi Alonso is fully expected to leave to manage a top team. The Spaniard recently turned down an offer from Al-Ittihad and some proposals from the Premier League to come in midseason to wait.
The 57-year-old has won two European Championships at the youth level with Spain and the Europa League with Sevilla. He was fired as coach of La Furia Roja two days before the 2018 World Cup because he was Real Madrid-bound. He didn’t last long with Los Galacticos, though.
Wolverhampton finished 13th in the last campaign. He left a week before the opener because the economic problems of the team hamstrung them too much on the transfer market.
Our Take on Milan and Lopetegui
He’s a fine coach, but it’d feel like a lateral move. If they parted ways with Pioli, they should hire either a super accomplished gaffer or an up-and-comer with an ultra-modern style.
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