AC said in a statement that Pioli “will be departing after
the end of the current season, after having been in charge of the First Team
since October 2019”.
They will finish second this season but way behind city
rivals Inter, who to rub salt into the wounds clinched the title by beating
Pioli’s team 2-1 at the end of April.
Pioli was hailed a hero in 2022 after delivering the once
dominant force in Italian football their first league title since 2011.
He also guided them to last season’s Champions League
semi-finals — the first time they had gone that far since the 2006-2007
campaign — where they lost to Inter.
However, an early exit from the Champions League this term
and failure to run Inter close in the title race set the alarm bells.
According to reports in the Italian media, Paulo Fonseca,
the Portuguese coach who has been in charge of French club Lille for the last
two seasons, is in line to take over.
The Milan board paid a warm tribute in the farewell
statement to 58-year-old Italian Pioli.
“AC Milan extends heartfelt thanks to Stefano Pioli and his
entire staff for… securing an unforgettable League title and re-establishing AC
Milan’s consistent presence in the top European competition,” read the
statement.
“Stefano’s professionalism and human touch have
significantly contributed to the growth of the squad, embodying the Club’s core
values from day one.”
Pioli, who numbers Lazio and Inter among the clubs he has
formerly managed, thanked the club and praised the “unwavering dedication” of
its supporters.
Stefano Pioli expressed his gratitude to AC Milan “for the
opportunity to be part of the history of this glorious Club,” read the
statement.
AFP
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