Sacchi: Milan ‘never became a team’ and need ‘another revolution’

epa11916405 Milan head coach Sergio Conceicao gestures during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Torino FC and AC Milan, in Turin, Italy, 22 February 2025. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO

Milan coaching legend Arrigo Sacchi believes his former club has no choice but to undergo ‘another revolution’ by parting ways with Sergio Conceição at the end of the season. However, he urged them to act ‘wisely’ and select a coach with a ‘clear playing style.’

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the former Italy and Milan manager stated that the Rossoneri ‘never became a real team’, blaming a lack of clear vision from the management for the club’s struggles—regardless of who was in charge.

While Sacchi stressed that it would be ‘unfair’ to place the blame solely on Conceição and Fonseca for Milan’s disappointing season, he believes the club no longer sees a ‘future’ with the current coach. For this reason, he urged them to appoint a ‘maestro’ as their next manager.

Sacchi: Milan are ‘not a team’ and have ‘only one solution’

“This Milan are not a team,” Sacchi told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I say this with regret because you all know how much I care about this club, but unfortunately, you can’t escape the truth. In Bologna, there were eleven players scattered across the pitch, with nothing connecting them—no system, no idea.

“At this point, there is only one solution: another revolution. Hopefully, this time, it will be carried out wisely, following the golden rules that are essential for building a real team.

“First: the club must have a clear vision. Second: the club must choose a coach and support him from start to finish. Third: the players must be selected by the coach, based on his tactical philosophy.”

“It would be unfair to put all the blame for the current situation on the Portuguese coach, who arrived just after Christmas.

“Just as it would have been unfair to hold Paulo Fonseca solely responsible for the results in the first half of the season. Mistakes, as always, should be shared—more or less equally—among the management, the coach, and the players.”

Sacchi noted that Milan don’t seem to back Conceiçao anymore, but also questioned the choices they made in recent months.

“I don’t think the club sees a future with him, but that’s just my impression,” the 78-year-old continued.

“As an external observer and a Milan admirer, I notice a pattern: last summer, Milan wanted a coach—Lopetegui—who was rejected by the fans.

“They then pivoted to Fonseca. They signed five foreign players. Then they sacked Fonseca, brought in Conceição, and signed five more players. The result remains the same: Milan never became a real team.

“In order to build a team, the club must have a clear vision, which must be transmitted to the coach, who in turn must pass it on to the players.

“Let me give you an example: when Berlusconi hired me, he told me he wanted to win while playing spectacular football.

“I explained my ideas to him, and he backed me every step of the way. He had already signed Gullit and Van Basten, and I asked him for three young players from Parma—Mussi, Bianchi, and Bortolazzi—plus Colombo, who had spent a lot of time on the bench at Udinese.

“Above all, I insisted on Ancelotti, even though the president had doubts due to his injury history. I told him, ‘Sign Ancelotti, and we’ll win the Scudetto.’ He trusted me, and I kept my word.

“The following year, before signing Rijkaard, I had him monitored for two weeks by one of my most trusted men. Do today’s directors operate this way? I don’t know, but I have my doubts. To build a great team, you need reliable men—on and off the pitch.”

Recent reports suggest Milan have identified Cesc Fabregas as their favourite candidate to replace Conceiçao next season – while Sacchi admitted he’s following him with ‘curiosity’, he had clear ideas when asked what kind of coach the Rossoneri would need.

“A true maestro: I’m thinking of Sarri or Conte,” he claimed.

“I also like Lazio’s Baroni, and I’m following Fabregas’ growth with curiosity. The key is to bring in a coach who can implement a clear playing style.”