Conceiçao on his Milan future: ‘I can’t control what others say’ | OneFootball

Milan coach Sergio Conceiçao admits rumours about his possible successor are disrespectful, but he ‘can’t control what others say’ and insists he gets no extra motivation from meeting Cesc Fabregas: ‘I would be sick…’

The Rossoneri host Como at San Siro on Saturday, looking for a second-consecutive victory following last week’s 3-2 win over Lecce.

“The boys’ response was fantastic in terms of spirit. I love seeing their attitude; even in training games, they are cheerful and happy,” Conceiçao said at a pre-match press conference on Friday via Milannews.

“We are working on things we have never worked on all together before.”

Milan are currently outside a European placement in 9th position, eight points below the top four. Do they believe they can still qualify for the Champions League?

Conceiçao on his Milan future: ‘I can’t control what others say’

epa11949864 AC Milan coach Sergio Conceicao during the Italian Serie A soccer match US Lecce – AC Milan at the Via del Mare stadium in Lecce, Italy, 8 March 2025. EPA-EFE/ABBONDANZA SCURO LEZZI

“We fight every day to bring about a revolution. It’s important as a team,” Conceiçao replied.

“If we have this, our results will improve. We focus on the present; we have an important and difficult match against Como. I don’t need to think too far ahead; we have to work every day, and you can see the joy in working, even when we push hard. They are happy. The group is in a good place.

“Over these past two weeks, they have given me a fantastic response. We need to keep going down this path, and then we’ll see where we stand.

“We try to work on every physical, tactical, and emotional aspect. I’m delighted with this week, just as I was with the last.”

Conceiçao’s contract runs until 2026, but Milan can terminate the agreement without paying an extra penny at the end of the campaign.

Several coaches have been linked with the Rossoneri job, but Conceiçao seemed unconcerned.

“I can’t control what others say or think. I can control what we do in training, the rest is what it is,” he said.

“I’ve been in football for many years; I’m used to everything. Sometimes it feels like there’s a lack of respect for those who are still here, but I’m used to it, that’s football.”

Como coach Fabregas has been linked with replacing Conceiçao at San Siro next season, but the Portuguese coach won’t get extra motivation from it.

“If my motivation came from that, I would be sick and need to go to the hospital,” he argued.

“Motivation comes from the desire to win a tough match against a team with quality, interesting players and a good coaching staff. We need to study their strengths and weaknesses and do our job, focusing on ourselves. If we execute what we’ve worked on, we’ll be closer to winning. It’s Milan against Como, not Conceiçao against the opposing coach.”