What Conceição said about Leao and Theo Hernandez | OneFootball

It was almost impossible for Sergio Conceição to avoid questions about Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leão’s status at Milan in his first press conference, as the two stars were repeatedly dropped by their former coach Paulo Fonseca in recent months, albeit in different moments.

Specifically, reporters asked the new Rossoneri manager whether players are ‘all equal’ in his opinion, in reference to Fonseca’s decision to exclude two of Milan’s strongest players from the starting XI in an attempt to motivate them.

The Diavolo’s new boss explained he mostly cares about the commitment his players show in training, but also confirmed he treats everyone the same way in the locker room, although he likes to ‘understand the full story’ behind every footballer, including their ‘background’.

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: Theo Hernandez of AC Milan celebrates with his team-mate Rafael Leao after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Venezia at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 14, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Conceição: Everyone is ‘equal’ in the locker room, I like to understand players ‘full story’

“For me, they’re equal in how I manage the locker room,” Conceição said during his first press conference as Milan coach.

“I don’t differentiate between someone who’s 17 or 37; it depends on what they do in training.

PORTO, PORTUGAL – DECEMBER 13: Sergio Conceicao, Head Coach of FC Porto, reacts during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Porto and FC Shakhtar Donetsk at Estadio do Dragao on December 13, 2023 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

“If they train to their absolute maximum—beyond their limits—then truly, there’s no difference. In the locker room, they know the message is the same for everyone.

“After that, there are personal discussions. I like to understand the full story of the players at my disposal, who has a mum, a dad, their background, because there’s a story behind their behaviour within the team.”