AC Milan is preparing a tempting €6 million-a-year contract to bring Antonio Conte back into management, according to the Daily Mirror. The former Chelsea, Juventus, and Italy manager is seen as the right person to help bring back an identity at the San Siro and restore the club’s former glory.
Conte was sacked unceremoniously by Chelsea this summer after two years in charge of the London club. The Italian had reported back to Stamford Bridge for pre-season training before he was sacked and replaced by Maurizio Sarri in July. The nature of his dismissal led to Conte proclaiming himself “disgusted” at how the club treated him and has led to an ongoing court case regarding compensation for his early departure.
Meanwhile, AC Milan has struggled in recent years, seeing a lot of changes through both owners and managers. However, this summer’s takeover by Elliot Advisors Limited and appointment of Paolo Scraoni as the new chairman has ushered in a new era and feeling at the club. Elliot has clearly stated his ambitions for the club and promised to inject cash to help Milan reach the pinnacle of world football again.
Current AC Milan coach, Gennaro Gattuso, has only spent a few months at the club having taken over in April from the sacked Vincenzo Montella. Despite leading the club to an Europa league spot in Serie A last season, Gattuso’s relative inexperience in managing at the highest level is thought to be a major concern to the upper management at Milan, with Conte being the favored replacement.
However, matters are complicated by Conte’s legal tussle with Chelsea and this will need to be resolved before Milan can make an official approach for the former Premier League and Serie A winner.
The reported offer of €6 million-a-year would make Conte one of the best-paid managers in world football. His current legal battle with Chelsea is for a reported €10 million and may be worth ceasing so he can return to management sooner rather than later. We will have to wait and see if Conte can resolve or turn away from his issues with Chelsea before Milan lose interest.
