May 24 – Stefano Pioli has been sacked as head coach of AC Milan two years after guiding them to the Serie A title, the Italian giants announced on Friday.
The 58-year-old, who was under contract until 2025, will take his place in the dugout for Milan one last time on Saturday in their final Serie A match of the season against relegated Salernitana.
According to reports in the Italian media, Lille coach Paulo Fonseca is first in line to take over after the Portuguese boss guided Lille to yet another top-four finish in Ligue 1.
AC Milan will finish second this season, but the 19-point gap to arch-rivals Inter meant a bitter pill to swallow, especially after the Nerazurri clinched the title by beating Pioli’s team 2-1 at the end of April.
Pioli was hailed a hero in 2022 after delivering the once dominant force in Italian football their first league title since 2011.
He also guided them to last season’s Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2007, where they lost to Inter.
Pioli’s fate was sealed by the failure to mount a serious title challenge to the club’s arch-rivals this season, paired with an early exit from the Champions League and being subsequently knocked out of the Europa League by Serie A rivals AS Roma.
The fans expressed their dissatisfaction with the underwhelming season during Milan’s match against Genoa at the San Siro earlier this month – unfurling banners demanding improvements mid-game.
In further protest, the hardcore ultras remained completely silent throughout the 3-3 draw. Fifteen minutes before the final whistle, the entire Curva Sud section, home to thousands of ultras, emptied. Left behind was a single banner that read, ‘the sound of silence’.
The Milan board paid a warm tribute in the farewell statement to 58-year-old Italian Pioli.
“AC Milan extends heartfelt thanks to Stefano Pioli and his entire staff for securing an unforgettable League title and re-establishing AC Milan’s consistent presence in the top European competition.
“Stefano’s professionalism and human touch have significantly contributed to the growth of the squad, embodying the Club’s core values from day one.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1732297471labto1732297471ofdlr1732297471owedi1732297471sni@g1732297471niwe.1732297471yrrah1732297471