One of the front-runners to succeed Stefano Pioli at AC Milan is Julen Lopeegui, according to recent rumors. His former director Monchi gave an explanation of his qualifications as the “perfect candidate” for the Rossoneri to the Italian media.
Loptegui, who had returned to Sevilla after leaving Roma, was hired by Monchi during his second stint there, and the two of them shared the Europa League trophy. The director continues to think highly of Lopetegui, who is currently a member of the winning Aston Villa team.
According to MilanNews, Monchi discussed why Lopetegui is the ideal choice to succeed Pioli in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. The manager stands out for three qualities above all, and Milan’s initiative will benefit from these.
About Lopetegui moving to Milan…
Julen possesses three attributes that I believe are essential for any coach: exceptional professionalism, competitiveness, and group dynamics. I sensed this the moment I started talking to him about Sevilla, and some traits don’t fade with time—rather, they get more solidified with experience.
Then, the qualities I had imagined in those initial talks came to pass in day-to-day activities, training sessions and games, as we began working on developing the squad—which, in Sevilla’s case, necessitated drastic adjustments.
Lopetegui seems to have little trouble adjusting to Milan and Italian football.
“He won’t encounter any issues because he is accustomed to working in large groups, which entails high pressure and expectations. Real Madrid, Porto, and the Spanish national team come to mind.
This is the reason I think Julen would be a great fit. First of all, Italian football is becoming a more global sport every day. Secondly, he is a very good coach in this area. Finally, the tactical component has historically been quite important.
Though the final decision is still pending, Milan has acknowledged and will take into account the feedback from fans. Even though Lopetegui is one of the front-runners, the appointment is not yet assured.