Zlatan Ibrahimovic has voiced his support for AC Milan’s current head coach, Stefano Pioli, amid speculation linking the Serie A giants with former Tottenham and Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.Conte, who has been without a managerial role since his departure from Tottenham, reportedly held discussions with Milan last month regarding a potential coaching position. It’s believed that Conte even spoke with Ibrahimovic, who now serves as the club’s senior advisor, about the possibility of replacing Pioli next season.However, Ibrahimovic has firmly backed Pioli, stating, “He is our coach and we are happy with him.”Leverkusen’s enforcer is hungry for titles: “It would be foolish not to listen to Xabi Alonso”AC Milan is currently positioned third in Serie A, trailing Juventus by seven points and Inter by two. Despite their recent Champions League elimination and Copa Italia quarter-final exit, there’s a sense of disappointment that the club hasn’t progressed as expected since winning the Scudetto in 2022 and reaching the Champions League semi-finals last season.Pioli’s side has faced defensive issues this season, conceding 25 goals, which ranks them joint-eighth in Serie A in terms of defensive record. Nevertheless, Milan is on a seven-match unbeaten streak, offering hope that they could still be contenders in this season’s title race.##NAJAVA_MECA_7845570##Conte, renowned for his success in Serie A, is a sought-after managerial target, with Napoli also reportedly interested in his services. Despite his past association with Inter, where he won the league title in 2021, Milan seems willing to consider him, following in the footsteps of other managers who have coached both Milan clubs, such as Pioli and Giovanni Trapattoni.SERIE A – MATCHDAY 23FridayLecce – Fiorentina 3-2 (1-0)/Oudin 17, Piccoli 90, Dorgu 90+2 – Mandragora 50, Beltran 67/Saturday17:00: (3.00) Empoli (3.15) Genoa (2.65)17:00: (2.35) Udinese (3.45) Monza (3.20)20:00: (5.00) Frosinone (4.00) AC Milan (1.67)22:45: (1.75) Bologna (3.70) Sassuolo (5.40)Sunday14:30: (1.50) Torino (4.00) Salernitana (7.25)17:00: (1.45) Napoli (4.40) Verona (7.50)20:00: (2.15) Atalanta (3.45) Lazio (3.70)22:45: (1.95) Inter (3.50) Juventus (4.40)Monday22:45: (1.48) Roma (4.20) Cagliari (7.25)***odds are subject to change***
