Sergio Conceicao is targeting a Champions League qualification spot with AC Milan despite a stuttering start to their Serie A season.
Milan are eighth in the Italian top flight after 17 games into the season, eight points behind the top four after two wins in their last four league matches.
That form saw the Rossoneri part ways with Paulo Fonseca after just six months in charge, having won 12 of his 24 games in charge in all competitions (D6 L6).
Conceicao's first task will be for him and his players to fly to Saudi Arabia, with his first match in charge in Riyadh against Juventus in the semi-final of the Italian Super Cup.
But the main goal for Conceicao is to earn a spot in the top four to qualify for the Champions League, a competition that Milan has won seven times in its history.
Fonseca managed to find some consistency in the league this season, with Milan sitting 12th in the 36-team standings, one point clear of the top eight with two games remaining.
“We all want one thing: for Milan to return to the Champions League. We are Milan,” Conceicao said at his first press conference in Milan on Tuesday.
“If I'm here, it's not a good sign. It means something hasn't gone right. There isn't much time to prepare for the match against Juventus.”
“We don't complain or make excuses.”
Milan have drawn three of their last four home league matches (W1) for the Rossoneri, the same number of draws as in their previous eleven games in the league (W6 D2).
Their inconsistency in Serie A has left them five points behind sixth-placed Juventus, who currently occupy the last European qualifying spot in the division.
Conceicao acknowledged the challenge ahead, but he expected his players to give their all to the cause during his tenure.
“There will always be 11 players who are satisfied and others less so. But they all have to give the maximum, that is the norm,” he said.
“Pressure is part of football, especially at a big club like Milan.”
Milan's senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic was also present at Conceicao's first press conference and reflected on Fonseca's short time at the helm.
“Before we start with Conceicao, I would like to thank Fonseca for what he has done and for the professional he is,” Ibrahimovic said.
“But he was not able to achieve consistency in results and when you are in Milan, results are decisive.”
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