Conceição says Milan’s lack of structure undermined his authority

Sergio Conceição says AC Milan did not provide the club structure he needed to command credibility with his players—and that owner Gerry Cardinale never visited the training ground during his six months in charge.

“Every coach needs a certain kind of club structure behind him, otherwise it becomes difficult to have credibility in front of the players,” Conceição told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “At Milan then, the ideal conditions weren’t there.” His comments put the focus on the support around the coach, rather than on results alone.

Conceição led Milan from January to June 2025. He said Cardinale sent him a message congratulating him after Milan won the Italian Super Cup, but he did not reply: he did not have the owner’s number and only read the message later. “When I was there, Cardinale never came to Milanello,” he said.

The Portuguese coach did not describe his spell as a regret. He called the Super Cup victory and the run to the Coppa Italia final—secured with wins over Roma and Inter—fantastic achievements. The defeat to Bologna in the final still hurts, he said.

That record gives his criticism a specific context. Conceição points to a gap between notable cup results and the backing he believes a coach needs to establish authority in the dressing room. He did not say that the lack of structure caused the final defeat or any particular result; his point was about the conditions required to lead the players.

Milan are sixth in the league after six matches, with 12 points and an unbeaten record. Their next fixture is at home to Atalanta on Sunday, October 18. Conceição’s account leaves the club’s current position intact, but raises a question about the support behind the coach as Milan continue their season.

He also spoke warmly about Amorim, whom he knows from their time as rivals in Portugal: Conceição coached Porto while Amorim coached Sporting. “I wish him well in Milan,” he said. The recollection of that rivalry sits alongside a broader message from Conceição: results matter, but in his view a coach also needs visible institutional backing to carry credibility with the squad.