By Olaitan Ibrahim
AC Milan named Sergio Conceicao as their new coach within hours of sacking fellow Portuguese Paulo Fonseca on Monday after just six months in charge.
Fonseca paid the price for the Italian giants’ inability to mount a Serie A title challenge.
“Sergio Paulo Marceneiro da Conceicao has been appointed as the Head Coach of the men’s First Team until 30 June 2026,” Milan said in a statement.
Conceicao, 50, was available after ending a seven-year stint with Porto in June this year having guided them to three league titles and four Portuguese Cup successes.
His only head coaching experience outside of Portugal was a season with Ligue 1 side Nantes, although he knows Serie A having played for Lazio in two spells, Parma and Inter Milan from 1998-2004.
Conceicao has shown extraordinary character to rise to the heights he has.
The 56-times capped winger once contemplated quitting the sport after losing his father, mother and younger brother while still a teenager.
Fonseca, 51, had pre-empted the announcement of his dismissal by saying he had been fired as he left the San Siro following his press conference after the draw with AS Roma on Sunday.
The 1-1 draw was the sixth of the season and left Milan in seventh spot, eight points off Lazio in the fourth and final Champions League place, and also a massive 13 adrift of city rivals Inter, who are in third spot and challenging for the title.
In a statement, Milan thanked Fonseca for his “great professionalism”.