Milan's new head coach Sergio Conceicao says he is prepared for the tough task ahead as he strives to turn the team into one worthy of the club's heritage.
He was appointed on Monday following the sacking of Paulo Fonseca, with the club eighth in the Serie A standings and already out of the title race after seven wins from their first 17 games.
Two wins in their last seven league matches leave Milan 14 points behind leaders Atalanta and 12th in the Champions League, with Conceicao tasked with getting them back up the table.
“I am proud to embark on this adventure. The emotions are temporary because we have to work,” Conceicao said.
“We have to have a warm heart and a cool head to work as hard as possible and win the matches. That's what we want, because we represent a great club at the global level, and we have to be worthy of this great club.” “
During his time in Portugal, Conceicao won 274 of his 379 matches in all competitions (D53 L52), with an average winning percentage of 72.30%, the highest of the six clubs he has previously managed.
Ready to take on this great adventure: coach Conceição's first thoughts as manager of Milan#SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/l1j0C5L9bw
— AC Milan (@acmilan) December 30, 2024
His first task as Milan boss will see him head to Saudi Arabia with his players on Tuesday, as his first match in charge takes place in Riyadh on Friday when Milan take on Juventus in the semi-final of the Supercoppa Italiana.
“We don't have much time, but that's absolutely no excuse,” he added.
“With the time I have at my disposal, I have to work as hard as I can so that the players understand what they have to do, first as individuals and then be a strong team in every match we have.”
Conceicao, who played in Italy for Lazio, Inter and Parma, will have fond memories of the Supercoppa and playing against Juventus.
In his very first match in Italy, Conceicao scored an extra-time winner on his Lazio debut to beat Juventus in the 1998 Supercoppa Italiana final, so Friday's match may feel like a date with fate, as well as a family affair.
Conceicao's son Francisco joined the Italian club on loan from Porto in August, where he played under his father.
The move came shortly after Conceicao ended his seven-year spell as manager at Porto, despite signing a four-year contract extension in April.
Comments