Lopetegui convinces Milan as negotiations progress

Julen Lopetegui has convinced Milan that he’s the right man to take over from Stefano Pioli and owner Gerry Cardinale has given the green light for a move, reports detail.

The Rossoneri are ready to call it quits with Pioli after five years at the helm in the summer, frustrated with the team’s poor work in the Champions League and Europa League this term. In Serie A, the first half of the season was tough but things have been more positive since Christmas.

Milan have been linked with a long list of possible candidates to replace Pioli ahead of next season, with options including Lopetegui, Thiago Motta, Mark van Bommel, Paulo Fonseca, Francesco Farioli and Domenico Tedesco.

Lopetegui convinces Milan

Page two of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport details how Lopetegui has managed to stand out from the other list of candidates during his talks with Milan, convincing them that he’s the right option to take over from Pioli at the end of the season.

Cardinale has signed off on the move and now things are moving forward. Nothing has been signed yet, but the former Sevilla and Spain coach is now looking increasingly likely to take over at the Rossoneri this summer.