At the end of the season, Milan will evaluate the future of the bench but in the meantime the Swede sends a clear message about the coach and dismisses the rumors that he would be linked to Conte as gossip
If Stefano Pioli has just said he is “bored”, but also “not bothered” and “not worried” by the rumors on his bench – in particular by the name of Conte -, in the Milan world there are those who instead are feeling a certain annoyance . And if the annoyed person goes by the name of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, then the indiscretion acquires a certain weight. An annoyance tending to increase, that is, directly proportional to the increasingly insistent mounting of rumors that would see him personally linked to the name of the former Tottenham manager in a Rossoneri key. Conte obviously carries the name of Pioli with him. And so, if on the Conte issue what filters through Z is only on an informal level, on Pioli the Swede is very formal, unequivocal and absolutely direct in his message: “He is our coach and we are happy with him”. In short, Ibra votes for Pioli.
scenarios
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Ibra hears, reads and sees scenarios in which he is associated with the possible arrival of Conte, and to those close to him he vigorously explains that he does not understand the reason, since his last contact with Antonio dates back to 2016. A relationship that has not been renewed for eight years in short, in which all the scenarios that have been unfolding in recent weeks are determinedly branded by the Swede as gossip. All within a context where the closeness to Pioli is therefore certified by his words, which are not just superficial. In another situation it is reasonable to think that Z would have glossed over it, letting chatter and speculation run its course. But in “this” situation things are very different. And definitely more delicate. Because Zlatan is the AC Milan super consultant, called to work directly by the owners, an advisor who has been given an almost total range of action within the AC Milan universe. They range from the simple dynamics of the pitch to the management/growth of the players (obviously respecting the necessary boundaries with the work of the coach), from the global development of the Rossoneri brand to personal consultancy directly with Gerry Cardinale. Without decision-making powers, as Milan always reminds us, and without positions in the club’s management hierarchy. But, evidently, as a highly esteemed and certainly listened to councillor.
esteem
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This is why Zlatan doesn’t like the comparison and wants to clarify. The second reason – which is not the second – clearly concerns Pioli. To whom Ibra is linked and for whom Z has great (reciprocated) respect, by virtue of a previous optimal coach-player relationship. It is superfluous to note that if Z exposes himself like this, he does so with the approval of the owners and the club. After that, it is clear that the coach will be assessed at the end of the season, as always happens. The year up to this point has seen the farewell to important objectives and at the end of the season some discussions will be made on the Rossoneri bench. Also (above all) on the direction that the year will take in the last four months. Pioli is evidently absolutely obliged to achieve qualification for the next Champions League, and has the Europa League at his disposal to make a good impression across the border, albeit in a less glittering tournament. In other words: a fluid situation for June, it is reasonable to think that any type of scenario could occur. But if we stop at the current frame, everything would seem very clear from what filters from Ibrahimovic’s world: support for Pioli is unanimous. Then, in June, we’ll see.
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