GdS: 'Two roads' - Milan conflicted in pursuit of new head coach

AC Milan are working to build a new management structure ahead of 2026-27, with the head coach role still undecided. Gerry Cardinale and Zlatan Ibrahimovic aim to reach a decision within 7-10 days. Ralf Rangnick, favored by RedBird for sporting affairs, is pushing Matthias Jaissle, the 38-year-old coach of Al-Ahli with a Red Bull background from Salzburg. Jaissle has won consecutive Asian Champions Leagues and coaches Franck Kessie, and he is interested in a move, though his contract runs to 2027 and would likely require compensation. Milan also met Mauricio Pochettino, whose US federation contract ends after the World Cup, and Cardinale has interest in him. Other foreign candidates include Andoni Iraola, though his likelihood has declined.

"AC Milan are pushing to construct a new management ahead of 2026-27, and the casting for a head coach remains wide open. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Gerry Cardinale and Zlatan Ibrahimovic want to decide within 7-10 days and are wasting no time. The candidates are diverse and also depend on the choice of sporting director."

"Ralf Rangnick, RedBird's favourite for head of sporting affairs, is nominating Matthias Jaissle for the position. The 38-year-old German coach of Al-Ahli, also with a background in the Red Bull universe with Salzburg. His current position is in Jeddah, where he won two consecutive Asian Champions Leagues and coaches a former Milan player: Franck Kessie. Jaissle has a contract until 2027 and is more than interested in the move."

"If Cardinale and Rangnick manage to shake hands, Jaissle would be a strong candidate. It remains to be seen how he could free himself from his contract at Al-Ahli, because compensation would be required. The process is broader than just Jaissle though and began well before the final matchday of the season delivered its damning verdict."

"Giorgio Furlani and Geoffrey Moncada met with Mauricio Pochettino - the United States coach - last week, as reported by The Athletic. Pochettino's contract with the American federation expires after the World Cup, a home tournament for the USMNT. Cardinale also likes Pochettino. He's not the favourite, but he's on the list of coaches with a chance of wearing a red and black tie in July."

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