Conceição seeks contact with critical Sacchi and is ignored

Sérgio Conceição has found himself at the center of growing scrutiny as AC Milan continues to struggle under his management.

The Portuguese coach, who took over the Rossoneri in late December, is facing mounting criticism from none other than Arrigo Sacchi, one of the most revered figures in the club’s history. The legendary former Milan manager, who led the club to multiple titles in the late 1980s and early 1990s, has been openly critical of the direction Milan has taken under its current leadership, singling out Conceição as part of the problem.

Sacchi's comments, made last weekend in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, called for nothing short of a revolution at AC Milan. The former coach, whose innovative high-pressing and zonal marking system changed Italian football, believes that Milan is straying from the principles that made it successful in the past. His remarks were not just an attack on Conceição but also on the club's hierarchy, whom he accuses of failing to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level.

Conceição did not take these comments lightly and responded during a press conference earlier this week. He appeared visibly frustrated with Sacchi’s words, pointing out the inconsistency in the former coach’s assessments. "Sacchi said two months ago that I was a good coach. Now, he criticizes me every day," Conceição remarked, making it clear that he feels unfairly targeted by the Italian legend. Despite his frustration, Conceição sought to handle the situation diplomatically and even attempted to reach out to Sacchi personally, but his efforts were met with silence. "Sacchi was my coach for a short period. He won a lot with great players in his team. I sent him a message recently, but he didn’t reply," the embattled coach admitted.

The tension between the two men adds another layer to an already difficult situation for AC Milan. The club is enduring one of its worst runs in recent years, with their 1-0 defeat to Lazio last weekend marking their third consecutive loss in Serie A. Milan's struggles have not been limited to domestic competition either just weeks earlier, they were eliminated from the Champions League knockout play-off round by Feyenoord, a result that only amplified doubts about Conceição’s tactical approach. The pressure is mounting, and with every passing match, questions about his ability to turn things around grow louder.

While the criticism from Sacchi has been particularly pointed, it is not entirely surprising. The former Milan boss has never been one to shy away from expressing strong opinions about the club, often voicing concerns about tactical decisions and the team's playing style. He has always been an advocate for attacking, high-intensity football, and he appears unconvinced that Conceição’s approach aligns with those ideals. His call for a "revolution" at Milan suggests that he believes deeper changes are needed, beyond just replacing the head coach.

Despite the growing negativity, Conceição remains determined to fight on. During the press conference, he acknowledged that mistakes have been made but stressed that his focus is on improving the team. "Of course, I have made mistakes, like every coach does. I try to make as few as possible. This has been the first full week of training since I arrived here. I am doing everything with the best intentions, and throughout my coaching career, there has been more satisfaction than frustration. The difficult moments here are helping me grow," he said, attempting to strike a balance between accountability and optimism.

The upcoming fixture against Lecce on Saturday evening now carries even greater importance. Milan, currently languishing in ninth place in Serie A, cannot afford another setback. The squad, which features Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders among its key players, desperately needs a positive result to halt their downward spiral. Lecce, while not one of the league's strongest teams, will provide a tough challenge, especially with Milan's confidence at an all-time low.

The match will also serve as a test of Conceição’s ability to handle adversity. If Milan fails to secure a victory, the calls for change both from the media and from figures like Sacchi will only grow louder. Conceição’s future could depend on how the team responds to this crisis, and the Lecce match may well be a defining moment in his tenure. A win could provide a much-needed boost, while another loss could push the club closer to making drastic changes.

With the tension surrounding the club at its peak, the pressure on Conceição to deliver is immense. Milan fans, who had high hopes at the start of the season, are growing increasingly restless. The criticism from Sacchi, while sharp, reflects a sentiment shared by many supporters who feel that the club has lost its way. The question now is whether Conceição can prove his doubters wrong and steer Milan back on course—or whether his time at the club is running out.