AC MILAN SACK BOSS SERGIO CONCEICAO AS ITALIAN GIANTS PART WAY WITH THIRD MANAGER IN 12 MONTHS - LEAVING THE FUTURES OF FOUR ENGLAND STARS UP IN THE AIR

• AC Milan have parted ways with Sergio Conceicao after just six months together

• Four England stars could be on the way out after Milan's latest managerial switch

AC Milan have sacked manager Sergio Conceicao, as per an official club statement, following an under-whelming Serie A campaign.

The Portuguese tactician took over from fellow countryman Paulo Fonseca at the end of December - with the club in eighth place. But after a tumultuous six months, Milan's league position did not budge under Conceicao.

The former Porto boss becomes the third manager to leave the Italian heavyweights in 12 months. 

Despite being Serie A runners-up in 2023-24, former head coach Stefano Pioli departed at the end of the season. He was replaced by Fonseca, who was fired before Conceicao took charge.

During his time with the Rossoneri, Conceicao won 16 of his 30 games - a 53 per cent win rate. He also led the club to their 50th major trophy in its history, winning the Italian Super Cup against local rivals Inter Milan in January.

An official club statement announcing Conceicao's departure read: 'AC Milan and Sergio Conceicao will not continue their journey together next season.

'The Club would like to thank Sergio and his staff for their commitment, professionalism and dedication shown during their time leading the First Team over the past few months.

'The AC Milan family parts with the coach who won the 50th trophy in the Club's history, wishing him the best for the future.'

With Conceicao leaving Milan, England stars Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could follow their manager out the door.

Mail Sport understands Fikayo Tomori could follow his manager out the door, with Tottenham interested in the defender

Also on loan, former Chelsea star Tammy Abraham is expected to return to Roma this summer

Fellow Blues academy graduate Ruben Loftus-Cheek could also leave, as per reports in Italy

Mail Sport reported this week that Tottenham are targeting Tomori, and like him for his pace, mobility and tenacity.

The centre back is seen as a cheaper alternative to their primary target - Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi.

Meanwhile, reports in Italy have stated that Loftus-Cheek's future at Milan is up in the air, and has been since last summer.

The former Chelsea midfield left London for Milan in 2023, with his contract running through June 2027. 

Conceicao's exit will also do little to boost any hopes of Kyle Walker remaining at Milan beyond this season. 

Loanee Kyle Walker is not expected to join Milan permanently and is likely to return to Man City

The defender joined the club on loan from Manchester City in January and, although his deal includes an option to buy of just £4.2million, multiple reports have claimed Milan do not want to sign him permanently.

The 35-year-old featured 16 times in all competitions for the club and was included in Thomas Tuchel's inaugural England squad for the Three Lions' World Cup qualifiers in March.

Fellow loanee Tammy Abraham is also expected to call time on his spell with the Rossoneri this summer. 

Reports in Italy have stated the former Chelsea star is expected to return to parent club Roma after scoring just five goals in as many months for Milan.

- YASEEN ZAMAN

FORMER TOTTEFNHAM STAR DELE ALLI DESTROYED BY CESC FABREGAS AFTER RED CARD 10 MINUTES INTO SERIE A DEBUT

Como head coach Cesc Fabregas hammered former Tottenham star Dele Alli after his player was sent off just 10 minutes into his debut for the Serie A outfit, although he certainly had sympathy from fans.

The ex-England international joined Como on a free transfer in January and came onto the pitch with 81 minutes on the clock in Saturday night’s clash against AC Milan, where he was facing his old Spurs colleague Kyle Walker.

It was his first appearance for any team in almost two years, last playing in February 2023 while on the books of Turkish side Besiktas.

However, Alli‘s outing was short-lived return as it turned into a nightmare when he was initially shown a yellow card after catching former Chelsea midfielder and current Milan star Ruben Loftus-Cheek on the back of the ankle.

After the initial booking, referee Matteo Marchetti then decided to upgrade it to a red following a VAR review, despite Walker doing his best to defend his former teammate.

Como were trailing 2-1 at the time, with former Arsenal midfielder Fabregas turning to the former Tottenham playmaker to find the goal that could have secured a point for his side.

Instead, Fabregas was left raging at the 28-year-old and had very little sympathy for his player, describing the incident involving Loftus-Cheek as a ‘tackle that hurts to watch’ in his post-match press conference.

In a post-match interview with DAZN, Fabregas admitted that Alli ‘perhaps didn’t deserve his opportunity’, having only actually trained with the Como squad for a fortnight as he tries to resurrect his career.

Speaking after the game, Fabregas said: “It was at that moment when Milan went 2-1 up and Sergi Roberto was meant to come on, but I’d prefer to give him another two weeks to train so he can be ready to start against Empoli.

“Dele Alli is a player who can score goals, he perhaps didn’t deserve this opportunity because he has only been working with us for two weeks and has a lot to improve. It is a grave mistake, one that we should not see from a player of his experience.

“It was a clear red card, there’s nothing to be said about that, he left the team down to 10 men during a crucial moment when we were pushing for 2-2. That is the most negative thing about this evening, but we keep going.”

Despite seeing red on his Serie A debut, some fans felt Alli was harshly treated as he made his first appearance in 748 days.

England defender Walker could clearly be seen begging with the referee not to send Alli off, but the writing was on the wall once the VAR replays slowed down the incident.

In defence of Alli, one fan wrote on X: “That’s a yellow. The force is so little. Slow motion makes it look 10x harder.”

Another said: “Even Walker was saying to not give him a red for it. That’s actually heartbreaking.”

While a third added: “Guy can’t catch a break. Hope this doesn’t ruin it for him.”

Another tweeted: “Feel for Dele, man has gone through so much s**t and now this.”

- Rob McCarthy

MILAN FIGHT BACK TO BEAT PROMOTEX CAGLIARI 3-1

Reuters 

English duo Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were on target as AC Milan fought back after falling behind at promoted Cagliari to secure a 3-1 Serie A victory on Wednesday.

Tomori and Loftus-Cheek found the net either side of halftime after a first-half equaliser from Noah Okafor.

Stefano Pioli's side secured their fifth Serie A win of the season that moved them up to 15 points in second place, level with leaders Inter Milan, who host Sassuolo later on Wednesday. Cagliari are bottom of the table with two points.

The visitors dominated much of the first half despite conceding the opener, with Tijani Reijnders narrowly missing with an angled attempt in the opening minutes.

RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK ON WATCHING KAKÁ AT AC MILAN

 

RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK JOINING AC MILAN

 

BIRMINGHAM CITY FC: NEW COACH GIANFRANCO ZOLA HAS £11 MILLION TO SPEND

Chelsea legend and new Birmingham manager, Gianfranco Zola, has £11 million to spend in the January transfer window...