AC Milan sack coach Paulo Fonseca

AC Milan terminated the contract of coach Paulo Fonseca on Monday due to the team’s inconsistent performance in their pursuit of a Champions League spot in Serie A.

The 51-year-old Portuguese coach had already anticipated his dismissal, mentioning it as he departed San Siro after his press conference following the match against AS Roma on Sunday.

It is expected that fellow Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao will step in to replace Fonseca, who previously managed clubs such as Shakhtar Donetsk, Roma, and Lille.

AC Milan’s 1-1 draw with Roma was their sixth of the season, leaving them in seventh place and eight points behind Lazio in the fourth Champions League position. They are also twelve points behind their city rivals Inter, who are competing for the league title.

“AC Milan announces that Paulo Fonseca has been relieved from his duties as Head Coach of the Men’s First Team,” read a statement from the club.

“The Club extends its gratitude to Paulo for his great professionalism and wishes him the very best in his future endeavours.”

Conceicao has Serie A experience as a player and is available after the 50-year-old ended a seven-year spell as Porto coach in June this year.

Milan, the seven-time European champions, have been battling inconsistent form and fan anger.