Sacchi calls for a revolution at AC Milan

Under intense pressure, Sérgio Conceição’s situation at AC Milan has already become precarious, despite the fact that the Portuguese coach only arrived at the club in late December.

Conceição was brought in as an emergency fix after Milan sacked his compatriot Paulo Fonseca, who himself had only been in charge for a matter of months. However, rather than providing a fresh start, Conceição’s arrival has done little to calm the storm. Instead, frustration and uncertainty have only grown.

Milan’s humiliating elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Feyenoord was a bitter blow, exposing both tactical disarray and a lack of character within the squad. That disappointment was compounded by a series of uninspired performances in Serie A, where Milan have drifted into eighth place a position utterly unacceptable for a club of Milan’s stature and ambition. The frustration is not only confined to the fans, but also echoes through the corridors of the club itself, where doubts over the club’s direction have begun to mount once again.

Ahead of Sunday night’s vital home clash against Lazio a match that could define the remainder of Milan’s season the legendary Arrigo Sacchi has publicly voiced his deep concern. In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sacchi, the architect of Milan’s golden era, made it clear that the problems run far deeper than recent results.

"This Milan is not a team," Sacchi said bluntly. "And I say this with a heavy heart because everyone knows how much this club means to me. But I can’t ignore reality. Right now, there is only one solution: Milan needs a complete revolution. Hopefully, this time, they will approach it carefully and follow the golden rules required to build a real team."

Sacchi’s words carry considerable weight. As the mastermind behind the iconic Milan side that dominated both Italy and Europe in the late 1980s and early 1990s a team built around the brilliance of Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, and Marco van Basten Sacchi knows exactly what it takes to construct a team capable of sustained success. His view is that Milan’s problems stem from a chronic lack of strategic vision and a haphazard approach to squad building.

He elaborated on what he sees as the fundamental pillars of a successful rebuild. "First of all, the club must define a clear and coherent sporting vision — a long-term idea of how Milan should play and what kind of team they want to be. Once that vision is in place, they need to select a coach who embodies that philosophy and, most importantly, commit to him fully from the very first day to the very last. And then, crucially, the coach must have the freedom to choose players who fit that tactical plan perfectly."

Sacchi warned that Milan’s current approach sacking coaches and replacing them with others who have completely different ideas, while signing players without a clear plan is a recipe for perpetual failure. "They appointed Fonseca and signed five foreign players to fit his system. Then they sacked Fonseca, brought in Conceição, and signed five more players. This is not a strategy; this is chaos," Sacchi said with clear frustration.

Sunday’s clash with Lazio now feels far more than just a routine Serie A fixture it has become a test of Conceição’s ability to steady the ship. A convincing performance and a positive result could buy him valuable time, giving him a chance to finally stamp his authority on the team. However, another disappointing display, especially at home, could further deepen the unrest within the club and among the supporters, potentially forcing Milan’s management into yet another difficult decision.

But Sacchi’s concerns go well beyond Conceição himself. For him, Milan’s problems are structural and cultural. The club’s identity once synonymous with tactical brilliance, relentless intensity, and a clear playing philosophy has gradually eroded. Milan, Sacchi believes, have lost their soul, becoming a club that reacts to crises rather than preventing them through smart planning. His plea is not just for a change of coach, but for a complete rethink of how the club is run from the boardroom to the training ground.

As part of that process, Sacchi has already floated several names who he believes could lead a new Milan project. "I’m thinking of a true director on the bench," he said. "Someone who can lead a team and a club with a clear tactical and strategic vision. I think of Maurizio Sarri, who is currently available, or Antonio Conte, who is now at Napoli but has always had the personality and authority to lead a club like Milan. I also really appreciate the work Marco Baroni is doing at Lazio. His teams are organized and brave exactly what Milan need."

Interestingly, Sacchi was also asked about Cesc Fàbregas, the former Arsenal and Barcelona star who has begun to earn praise for his work as head coach at Como. Fàbregas’ name has already been mentioned in Italian media as a potential surprise candidate for the Milan bench. Sacchi responded with cautious optimism. "I’m following his development with interest," Sacchi said, hinting that while Fàbregas still has much to prove, his ideas and personality could eventually fit Milan’s long-term vision if the club is serious about building a modern and progressive project.

The situation at Milan is, once again, at a crossroads. With Lazio arriving at San Siro for a game that could either reignite Milan’s season or plunge the club deeper into crisis, the sense of urgency is undeniable. But for Sacchi, Sunday’s result win or lose won’t change the bigger picture. For Milan to truly return to the top, they need more than just three points. They need to rediscover who they are, what they stand for, and how they want to play something they once mastered under Sacchi himself.

Whether Milan’s leadership will heed his warning remains to be seen, but what is clear is that the club’s future hangs in the balance, and the decisions made in the coming weeks and months will shape the Rossoneri’s trajectory for years to come.