Sacchi throws weight behind Pioli but chooses his favoured successor: 'He knows Serie A'

Former AC Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi has shown support for Stefano Pioli and believes that the coach should be kept at the club, but he has a name in mind for the eventual replacement. 

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Radio Rossonera), Sacchi explained that Pioli deserves more respect for what he has done as the Milan coach over the years and given the names on offer, he should be kept at the club.

“Pioli deserves respect for what he gave and how he behaved. I have seen the names that are circulating, for which I have deep respect, but they would need to adapt everyone to Italian football, so why not keep Pioli?” Sacchi said.

He went on to discuss the coaches that could replace Pioli if he is dismissed at the end of the season, immediately mentioning some of the bigger names that he feels are not going to be serious options for Milan.

“I don’t think that [Jurgen] Klopp, [Pep] Guardiola, [Carlo] Ancelotti, [Antonio] Conte are available for the Milan bench,” he said.

He then focused on Brighton coach Roberto De Zerbi as the best available option right now, saying: “I would focus on a young profile like De Zerbi who has the right experience, knows Serie A and above all gives a style to his teams.”

Milan are being linked with a host of names for the not-yet vacant position, with Bologna’s Thiago Motta still in the frame as well as Portuguese coaches such as Sergio Conceicao and Paulo Fonseca.

Pioli is expected to be dismissed at the end of the season with one year left on his deal after the team’s failure to launch a title challenge and the poor European campaign.