Milan Rekindle Interest in Highly-Rated Italian Manager to Replace Sergio Conceicao | OneFootball

Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi’s entourage has reportedly initiated talks with Milan about a potential move to the San Siro next season. According to Tuttosport via MilanNews, incoming sporting director Fabio Paratici met with the Italian coach’s agent on Saturday before leaving a hotel known for hosting football business meetings.

Bracing up for a transitional summer after a disastrous season, Milan plan to appoint Paratici to oversee their transfer strategy for the 2025/26 campaign, and he wants De Zerbi to join him. He reportedly visited the hotel amid speculation he was negotiating with Rossoneri CEO Giorgio Furlani.

However, sources now suggest his primary focus was securing De Zerbi as a replacement for Sergio Conceicao once the season ends. Conceicao’s charges trail fourth-placed Bologna by a whopping nine points ahead of tonight’s must-win away clash against Scudetto hopefuls Napoli.

Therefore, last season’s runners-up need a miracle to secure a fifth consecutive top-four finish. Either way, Conceicao will likely depart Milan at the end of the season. De Zerbi has emerged as an ideal candidate to fill the vacancy in the dugout despite joining Marseille only last summer.

The ex-Sassuolo boss was in contention for the Milan job less than 12 months ago, only for the club to hire Paulo Fonseca. They would soon come to regret that choice, sacking the Portuguese tactician in December, with the team stuck well adrift of the Champions League qualification race.

De Zerbi’s name is back in fashion, but Milan could also pursue a deal for Antonio Conte.