The managerial merry go round at Milanello has taken a sharp turn. In a development that will surprise few who have tracked the club's recent successi...
The managerial merry go round at Milanello has taken a sharp turn. In a development that will surprise few who have tracked the club's recent succession planning, GoalZaza understands that Mauricio Pochettino is now the clear favourite to take the reins at AC Milan. The news comes just days after the club's pursuit of Arne Slot was abruptly parked, with sources indicating the Dutchman's style simply did not fit the board's preferred direction.So why Pochettino It is a question that splits the football public. On one side, you have the Argentine's undeniable pedigree: a Champions League final, a Premier League title challenge with a thrilling Tottenham side, and a reputation for developing young talent. On the other, there is the nagging sense of unfinished business, the collapses in big moments, the sometimes brittle emotional state of his squads. For Milan, a club that prides itself on tactical discipline and a certain cold blooded efficiency, does the Pochettino rollercoaster actually fitPerhaps that is precisely the point. Stefano Pioli's tenure, for all its early romance, ended in a turgid low block, a side that had lost its transitional spark. The board, led by Zlatan Ibrahimovic in an advisory role, have clearly decided they want a manager who can rebuild the team's identity around high pressing and verticality. Pochettino does that better than most. His teams are not pretty in possession for possession's sake; they are direct, aggressive, and designed to suffocate opponents high up the pitch. Against Oliver Glasner, who remains a candidate but is now reportedly behind in the pecking order, the choice is between a proven Premier League operator and a man who worked miracles in the Bundesliga but with a far less demanding spotlight.The real test, however, will be whether the club can give Pochettino the tools he needs. Milan's recruitment strategy has been patchy at best, and the squad lacks a clinical finisher and a midfield general with real legs. If the Argentine is to succeed where he ultimately failed at Chelsea and Paris, he will need backing, not just in the transfer market but in time. The San Siro crowd is not known for its infinite patience. Squeaky bum time will come early. For now, though, the signing of a manager who can make the Rossoneri dangerous again is a statement of intent. Let us see if he can actually deliver.
