Longo: Clue in Milan’s managerial pursuit as transfer budget must be untouched

AC Milan are looking for a new manager, with Stefano Pioli expected to leave in the summer, and several candidates have been mentioned in the media. One thing is clear, per a report: the transfer budget must remain untouched. 

The Rossoneri have indeed with many names lately and based on the reports this morning, Sergio Conceicao is the latest strong candidate to join the race. The likes of Paulo Fonseca, Roberto De Zerbi and Ruben Amorim have also been mentioned, but the latter two can more or less be ruled out.

As highlighted by Calciomercato.com, De Zerbi and Amorim both have release clauses worth around €15m, with stays beyond this season looking likely as well. Milan have made it clear that they aren’t willing to sacrifice part of the summer transfer budget for a manager, thus ruling out these two options for now.

This narrows down the search a bit, with Conceicao and Fonseca the obvious ones left. The former only just signed a contract renewal with Porto but there is a clause which means he can free himself by mutual consent.

Thiago Motta is another name that remains on the shortlist but Milan must first figure out if overtaking Juventus is possible at this point, with an attempt scheduled. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is keen on the Bologna man and it remains to be seen what will happen.