CM: Outgoing Barcelona boss Xavi on Milan’s list – Zlatan factor could be key | OneFootball

Tonight is the derby between AC Milan and Inter, a game in which the latter can win the league, and yet a lot of the attention at the moment concerns the season ahead for the red and black half of the city.

Calciomercato.com talks about how a derby win can help rescue at least a bit of pride for Stefano Pioli given that the decision has already been made to replace him at the end of the season after too many defeats in big games and too many missed targets.

The profile that Milan would like, more or less, is now known: a coach who is familiar with developing young players, who offers a clear style of play and attacking football but also does not have huge demands in terms of salary and squad investment.

We must also pay attention to the tactical factor, because the management do not want to carry out a total revolution, so the research is oriented towards solutions that allow maintaining a line-up with two pure wingers and three in midfield (ideally with one a playmaker).

No decision has yet been made, not even on who the number one candidate could be, but Paulo Fonseca and Julen Lopetegui seem to be ahead of the others at the moment. There are possible surprises though as well.

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The name of Xavi, a Barcelona legend who is leaving his role as coach of the Blaugrana at the end of the season, must also be included on the list. Here the role of senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic is fundamental, with his appeal and his contacts.

He played together with Xavi at the Nou Camp in the 2009-10 season. The rest of next season’s programming depends on the coach choice, so there will be days and weeks of deep evaluations and reflections to come.

Thiago Motta meanwhile is in talks with Juventus. Milan know this and have taken note of it, yet the mercato – even when it comes to managers – is an extremely fluid matter, so the Rossoneri could keep the door open for the Bologna boss too.