Fallen Italian giants AC Milan turn to coach Stefano Pioli

MILAN — Fallen Italian giants AC Milan have appointed Stefano Pioli as their new coach a day after his predecessor Marco Giampaolo was sacked after just seven games in charge.

The 52-year-old former Inter Milan boss arrives on a two-year deal, reported to be worth in the region of 2-million euros ($2.2 million) a season.

“AC Milan announces the appointment with immediate effect of Mr Stefano Pioli as the new coach of the first team .. on a two-year agreement,” the former seven-time European champions said in a statement.

Pioli, who most recently coached Fiorentina, becomes the eighth coach to sit on the Milan bench since Massimiliano Allegri led the club to their last Serie A title in 2011.

Giampaolo’s reign lasted just 111 days after he took over from former Milan hero Gennaro Gattuso, who resigned after missing out on Champions League football last season with a fifth-place finish.

But after a run of four defeats that includes a 2-0 derby defeat to Inter the seven-time European champions are just three points above the relegation zone.

It is hoped Pioli, whose resigned as Fiorentina coach last April, can bring some stability to the cash-strapped club, who surrendered their Europa League berth this season after breaching UEFA’s financial fair play rules.

Pioli has spent his entire 16-year coaching career in Italy with clubs including Bologna, Lazio, Inter and Fiorentina, but has never won any trophies as a coach. The #PioliOut hashtag quickly trended worldwide on Twitter thanks to the angry reaction from Milan fans unhappy at lack of trophies. 

The 52-year-old guided Lazio to the Champions League in 2015 and was coach of Fiorentina when captain Davide Astori died in his sleep ahead of a match last year.

Milan hope he can bring stability to the club that has experienced its share of backroom drama after being sold twice in the last two years.

Italian media mogul and former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi sold the club to Chinese businessman Li Yonghong in 2017 with US hedge fund Elliot Management assuming control in July 2018.

Ex-Brazil international Leonardo stepped down as sporting director earlier this year to move to Paris Saint-Germain with former stars Paolo Maldini and Zvonimir Boban taking over. 

Former Inter Milan coach Luciano Spalletti was reported to have been the team’s number one choice as their next coach.

However, the 60-year-old has not been able to agree severance terms with Inter, where he remains under contract until 2021, despite being replaced by Antonio Conte.

“The club is grateful to Marco for the work carried out and wishes him all the best to come in his professional career,” the team said in a statement. 

The 52-year-old struggled from the outset at cash-strapped Milan, who surrendered their Europa League berth this season after breaching UEFA’s financial fair play rules.

Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Genoa wasn’t enough to save the former Sampdoria boss, who had been the seventh coach to sit on the Milan bench in the past five years.