By Martin Graham | 14th Sep 2024
AC Milan have reaffirmed their support for head coach Paulo Fonseca, making it clear that the upcoming fixtures against Venezia, Liverpool, and Inter will not be decisive in determining his future, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport. Despite a rocky beginning to the Serie A campaign, Milan are yet to secure their first league victory after consecutive 2-2 draws with Torino and Lazio, along with a 2-1 defeat at Parma.
Tension has been building at San Siro, particularly after a brief on-field altercation between Fonseca and two of his key players, Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez, during the second half of the Lazio match before the international break. However, club officials are confident it is too early in the season to make any drastic decisions regarding Fonseca’s tenure.
Fonseca’s position safe, for now
Milan’s leadership believes that Fonseca has not been given sufficient time to showcase his potential, and that a judgment on his future would be premature at this stage. The club recognizes that with a new squad and evolving tactics, immediate results might not be the best reflection of his abilities. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Fonseca’s job is not under threat, even if the Rossoneri fail to pick up three points against Venezia in their upcoming match on Saturday.
Historically, Milan has only gone winless in their opening four games once in the last 65 years, a statistic that adds to the pressure surrounding Fonseca. However, the club’s management remains patient and emphasizes that Liverpool and Inter are formidable opponents, not a fair measure for assessing Fonseca’s capabilities with his still-developing team.
Milan fans rally behind the team
Adding to the high-stakes atmosphere, RedBird CEO Gerry Cardinale is set to be in attendance for the Venezia game, providing another layer of scrutiny to the team’s performance. Meanwhile, Milan’s supporters are planning to gather in large numbers ahead of the match to offer a rousing reception as the team enters the stadium.
The match between Milan and Venezia is scheduled to kick off at 19:45 BST on Saturday, with all eyes on the Rossoneri’s bid to turn their fortunes around. Despite the early struggles, the club is taking a long-term view, showing faith in Fonseca’s project as they navigate through this challenging start.
