Ibrahimovic apologises to Fonseca and explains why Milan replaced him with Conceicao | OneFootball

Zlatan Ibrahimovic faced the media at Sergio Conceicao’s unveiling press conference, speaking about the decision to sack Paulo Fonseca and hire him.

To describe the last 48 hours at Milan as dramatic would be an understatement, given that they went into the final game of 2024 against Roma with one head coach and are ending the year with another.

The call was made to relieve Fonseca of his duties after the game against the Giallorossi but the reports had been circulating in the build-up to kick-off, leading to a strange atmosphere surrounding the game.

The Portuguese was replaced very quickly by his compatriot, who flew into Italy yesterday morning and took his first training session at Milanello in the afternoon.

Ibrahimovic spoke at the unveiling of Conceicao and he had to answer some predictably tough questions from journalists, with his comments relayed by MilanNews. He began with an introductory speech.

“Welcome everyone. Before starting I want to thank Paulo Fonseca for what he has done, for the professional he is, for the time he has been here: maximum respect for him,” he began.

“The reasons for the dismissal: he has not managed to have continuity with the results and when you are Milan the results are fundamental. We took the decision to dismiss him after the match and we made a mistake in sending him to the conference: I apologise to Paulo and the fans.

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“We understand the fans and we have respect, we are the first not to be satisfied and we will not be until we reach our objectives. The Supercoppa is one of our objectives.

“The responsibility is not only the coach’s but is shared with everyone, we have to take it. For better or for worse, Milan is always prepared for the next step, there are no decisions dictated by panic.

“The time has come to introduce the new coach, Sergio Conceicao. Reasons for the choice: a very direct person, he brings character, he is a winner. He has had experience of coming in mid-season and has done very well.

“He has achieved great results at Porto. Yesterday he arrived and immediately wanted the team on the pitch to work. Our job is to put him in a position to do the best possible. We welcome him.”