From De Zerbi to Gallardo – Milan’s six-man list of Lopetegui alternatives

AC Milan have pulled back on their plans to hire Julen Lopetegui as the new head coach, with three candidates now re-entering the frame as alternative options.

This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) has a two-page spread dedicated to Milan’s pursuit of a new manager, and it starts with the reasons that they have slowed down their pursuit of Lopetegui.

They also talk about the alternative candidates. In the running are Paulo Fonseca of Lille, Roberto De Zerbi of Brighton and Mark van Bommel of Royal Antwerp. The former has been mentioned in the background for a week now, De Zerbi has a connection to the club while Van Bommal is ‘the outsider to keep an eye on’.

Now that the race for the Milan bench has reopened, twists cannot be ruled out. Not after what led to the Rossoneri slowing down on the main candidate, having ‘stopped a few metres from the finish line’.

Fonseca was the first alternative to Lopetegui and logically remains among the hottest names. Milan have been in contacts with his entourage for some time and he has a contract which expires in June, even if Marseille are apparently keen.

The other afternoon, after the success against Metz, he was asked about the rumours about Milan: “I’m focused on the last three games [Lille are playing for a Champions League place]. I don’t know what the future holds for me…”

Fonseca is admired because he has an international profile but he knows Serie A, a detail that is anything but secondary in Milan’s evaluations. In his two years at Roma, then, he gave playing time to young talents (Bove, Zalewski, Calafiori and others), which plays in his favour too.

For the same reasons, the name of De Zerbi – who is about to end his second season in the Premier League as coach of Brighton – could also rise in the next few hours. He intrigues for his style of play and his ability to work with young players.

His name has been linked to the top English clubs but a return to Italy, at the helm of a great team aiming to win, is a scenario that absolutely fascinates him. A detail not to be overlooked: his name seems to excite the fans more than Fonseca, given his past in the academy.