Champions League or bust? Sergio Conceicao feeling the pressure at AC Milan as Antonio Conte linked with San Siro side

A report from Calciomercato has revealed that Sergio Conceicao's future as the manager of AC Milan is under scrutiny at the moment. The Portuguese head coach is expect to be shown the door in the summer should he fail to lead Milan to a Champions League spot next season.

This has been quite a challenging season for the Rossoneri, as they experienced a subpar first half of the season under former manager Paulo Fonseca. However, new arrival Conceicao has embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, fully aware that results are crucial. What does he need to do save his job? It's simple, lead Milan to a top-four finish in Serie A.

He led Milan to an unlikely Supercoppa Italiana triumph over Inter last month, bringing about renewed hope for the fans of the prestigious club. On the other hand, Milan were, rather unexpectedly, eliminated by Feyenoord in the pre-Round of 16 playoffs in the Champions League.

All things said and done, should he fail to meet the expectations set by the club’s owners, another managerial change could be imminent. The uncertainty is compounded by the upcoming decision on the new sporting director, with an announcement expected by April, which could influence potential managerial shifts.

One name that doesn't need any introduction or formal backing for the job as Conceicao's successor is Antonio Conte. Recent comments from the former Inter and Juventus coach have raised doubts about his future at Napoli, reigniting rumors about Milan. It's important to note that Conte is under contract with Napoli until June 2027, meaning he would have to break his deal to leave. As a result, enticing him away from Naples would not be an easy task.

With just a little over 10 league games left to play, and Milan stuttering in mid-table, eight points behind the top four, it seems an arduous task to see them challenge for a top four spot. However, wins against Lazio (March 2) and Lecce (March 8) could prove to be a catalyst.