‘Very popular’ – Journalist claims RB Leipzig head coach is on Milan’s list | OneFootball

While the uncertainty regarding Stefano Pioli’s position as head coach continues to swirl, a new name has emerged as a potential candidate to replace him should he be sacked.

Thursday night’s Europa League quarter-final second leg against Roma is do-or-die for AC Milan’s trophy hopes in 2023-24, but it might just have the same weight on Stefano Pioli’s future too.

This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the ownership would not look positively upon an exit in the final eight of the competition against a side 14 points behind them in the Serie A standings.

According to Daniel Speranza of SpazioMilan, there is a name that is ‘very popular’ among the Milan leadership: Marco Rose. He is currently the RB Leipzig coach and is contracted to the German club until 2025.

There has been ‘no direct contact’ between the parties but it is certainly a ‘lead to monitor’ in the event that the Rossoneri decide to move on from Pioli after nearly half a decade.

Rose is 47 years of age and he has managed three different Bundesliga clubs: Borussia Monchengladbach, Borussia Dortmund and now Leipzig. In his 160 top flight games as a head coach, he has 91 wins, 27 draws and 42 defeats, which is 1.88 points per game.

Leipzig have drawn admiration for their style of play under Rose, who tends to play a 4-4-2 system with a lot of emphasis on pressing, counter-pressing and fast attacking play.

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Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani gave an interview to DAZN last night in which he was asked directly about Pioli’s future and whether evaluations have already been made.

“There is this constant being in the spotlight. Since the beginning of the season, criticism of the coach has flared up after every match he doesn’t win. This year he has done well and we are focused on the end of the season,” he said.

“He is an exquisite person, with whom we work very well and I can say that we are lucky to work with him. You cannot judge a coach on one match, but you can evaluate it on an entire season. We will see how the season ends, but we are confident.”

In short, Furlani did not rule out the idea that once that sums are drawn up at the end of the season they might decide it is time for a change.