Milan's search for a new head coach has taken a decisive turn, with Mauricio Pochettino emerging as the leading candidate to replace Massimiliano Allegri. The Rossoneri, coming off a second consecutive season without Champions League qualification, are under pressure to stabilize a club in flux. Co-owners Gerry Cardinale and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have been working in tandem to identify the right profile, but their shortlist has narrowed rapidly after a series of high-profile rejections.
The latest blow came from Xavi Hernández. The former Barcelona manager, currently out of work, was the subject of intense talks with Milan. However, a conference call between the parties ended poorly, with Xavi making it clear that his priority is to coach a national team after the 2026 World Cup. This followed the earlier refusal of Andoni Iraola, who has opted to remain in his current project. With two primary targets off the table, the focus has shifted sharply toward Pochettino.
Meanwhile, the potential appointment of Ralf Rangnick has been effectively frozen by Ibrahimovic. The Swedish legend, now wielding significant influence in Milan's boardroom, has not forgotten the acrimony from 2020 when Rangnick was previously linked to the club. Back then, Ibrahimovic famously quipped, "Who is Rangnick? I don't know who Rangnick is," a remark that still stings. Sources suggest Ibra views Rangnick's authoritarian style and gegenpressing dogma as ill-suited to the current Milan dressing room, and his veto has all but ended the German's candidacy.
The internal dynamics are further complicated by the structural shake-up at Milan. Cardinale has openly criticized the previous "one man show" approach under Paolo Maldini, indicating a desire for a more collaborative leadership model. Rangnick, with his notorious desire for total control, fits that same criticized mold. Instead, the club is now working toward a tandem solution: Pochettino as head coach and Ramon Planes as sporting director.
Planes, who recently left his role at Al-Ittihad, is immediately available and could start addressing the squad's issues right away. His partnership with Pochettino is seen as a pragmatic pivot. Unlike the rejected candidates, Pochettino is not wedded to a single tactical philosophy; his adaptability would be an asset in a market constrained by Milan's absence from Europe's elite competition for the second straight year. Having managed Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, he brings a wealth of top-level experience.
Pochettino is currently preparing to lead the United States at the World Cup, but Milan held discussions with him before he joined the national team's pre-tournament camp in Georgia. This early groundwork suggests the club is keen to finalize an agreement swiftly, even if an official announcement must wait until after the tournament. The Argentine's ability to connect with high-profile players could also help convince the squad's stars—eight of whom are at the World Cup—to stay committed amid the uncertainty.
One of those stars whose future hangs in the balance is Luka Modric. The Croatian midfielder, despite his age, remains a key figure at Milan, but Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has offered him a front-office role at the Santiago Bernabéu. While there are still attempts to persuade Modric to extend his stay at San Siro, his departure would further complicate Milan's rebuilding plans. The situation underscores the sense of limbo that pervades the club, with many players and fans waiting to see who will be in charge next season.
The fan base's anxiety is palpable. Milan's return to the top of Italian football under Pioli and then Allegri's brief tenure now feels distant. Missing out on Champions League twice in a row has financial and reputational repercussions, and the new leadership must deliver a coherent project quickly. Pochettino's arrival, coupled with Planes, would signal a fresh start, but the road ahead is arduous.
The Ibrahimovic factor cannot be understated. His opposition to Rangnick has reshaped the entire search. Some insiders argue that Ibra's influence, while potentially helpful given his understanding of the club's DNA, also risks narrowing the field too aggressively. Yet, with Cardinale's backing, the former striker's voice is decisive. The rejection of Xavi, though framed as mutual, also reflects a certain pickiness that has left Milan running out of options.
For Pochettino, the Milan job represents a chance to rebuild his reputation after a mixed spell at Chelsea. The challenge of leading a storied club back into the Champions League, with a squad that still boasts considerable talent, could be the perfect fit. His work with young players and his calm demeanor align with what Milan need: a steady hand in a stormy period. As one source close to the club put it, "Mauricio is not a fundamentalist—he finds solutions," a stark contrast to the inflexible approaches that have been rejected.
As May draws to a close, Milan's hierarchy is fully aware that time is not on their side. Pre-season preparations, transfer plans, and squad morale all hang on the appointment. Pochettino and Planes represent the most concrete path forward, but in the chaotic rossonero risk, nothing is certain until contracts are signed. The World Cup adds an extra layer of complexity, but Milan are betting that they can lock in their new regime before the tournament disrupts the market.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.
