According to Italian news outlet Calciomercato, Chelsea boss Antonio Conte’s representatives have held ‘secret’ talks with AC Milan. Conte has emerged as Milan’s top target to replace axed Vincenzo Montella next summer.
Montella was fired on Monday after a disappointing start to the season for the Serie A giants. A run of just two league wins in their last nine games seemed enough for the board to take the step of sacking Montella.
Former Milan player Gennaro Gattuso, who had been managing the club’s youth side has taken charge until the end of the season. He will at least be a popular figure with the San Siro crowd, having enjoyed a tremendous 12-year trophy-laden spell with the Rossoneri.
Regardless of being in the management since 2013 and having gained decent experience, the 39-year-old is not deemed as club’s long-term choice and reports suggest that Milan have been sounding out Conte over the role.
It’s added that the San Siro outfit were even prepared to sack Montella last summer had Conte been willing to discard his Stamford Bridge project after just one fantastic season. Despite this, Milan’s “ultimate dream” remains ‘the capture of Conte’.
In addition, it’s also reported director Massimiliano Mirabelli was in London earlier in the month and held talks with the 48-year-old’s representatives in which it was made clear that he was their prime target to take over at the end of the campaign.
Conte has repeatedly hinted that he’d like to move back to Italy, and it’s thought he’s been impressed by Milan’s contingent of young, up-and-coming talents. He likes that they have developed a core of young Italian players such as Gianluigi Donnarumma, Andrea Conti, Davide Calabria and Alessio Romagnoli.
However, for now, Conte is believed to be happy at Chelsea but seems unlikely to sign an extension as his current deal expires in 2019. There is enormous pressure on Conte to retain the league title and hence he recently urged Roman Abramovich to splash more money in January in order to keep up with Premier League leaders Manchester City.
Still, the chance to return to his homeland and possibly bring the glory days back to Milan would surely be an enticing project for the ex-Italy manager. However, the financial situation at Milan will have a huge bearing on who they can attract as their next Coach.
On our part, let’s hope Conte turns things around at Chelsea and succeeds in winning more trophies.