Pioli Signs Contract Extension at AC Milan until 2023

AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli. (Reuters)
AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli. (Reuters)
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Pioli Signs Contract Extension at AC Milan until 2023

AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli. (Reuters)
AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli. (Reuters)

AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli has signed a new contract to stay at the club until 2023, with an option for a one-year extension, the Serie A side confirmed on Friday.

"I'm proud of the work we've done until now, with the good relationship I have with the management, with the growth of my players and with the passion displayed by everyone working at this incredible club," Pioli said.

Pioli has impressed in northern Italy since taking charge in 2019, steering the Italian giants back into the Champions League this season for the first time since the 2013-14 campaign.

Their second-placed finish in Serie A last season under Pioli was Milan's highest since 2012 when they were coached by the now Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri.

This season, domestically, Milan have carried on where they left off last term, sitting level on points with leaders Napoli after 13 matches, having only lost once in the league to date.

"Stefano is - due to his professional competence and for his temperament and personality - our ideal head coach," technical director Paolo Maldini said.

"He has completely bought into the values and strategy of our club. His leadership has created a cohesive atmosphere for big ambition.

"The aim is to continue the journey we've begun and attain better and better results."

Pioli has coached Milan in 106 matches with a record of 59 wins, 27 draws and 20 defeats.



Habib Becomes 1st Lebanese Player in Open Era to Play in Grand Slam Men's Singles Draw

FILE - Hady Habib of Lebanon, right, walks by Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the men's singles tennis competition, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andy Wong,File)
FILE - Hady Habib of Lebanon, right, walks by Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the men's singles tennis competition, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andy Wong,File)
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Habib Becomes 1st Lebanese Player in Open Era to Play in Grand Slam Men's Singles Draw

FILE - Hady Habib of Lebanon, right, walks by Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the men's singles tennis competition, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andy Wong,File)
FILE - Hady Habib of Lebanon, right, walks by Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the men's singles tennis competition, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andy Wong,File)

Hady Habib isn't likely to find anything too daunting at the Australian Open now that he's become the first Lebanese player in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam men's singles draw.
He advanced through three rounds of the qualifying at Melbourne Park, winning his third match in a tiebreaker 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8) over Clement Chidekh of France on Thursday to secure a place in the main draw of the tournament that starts Sunday, The Associated Press reported.
It continued a rapid rise for Habib, who made his Olympic debut last year in Paris, running into eventual silver medalist Carlos Alcaraz, a four-time major winner, in the first round. It was two sets he'll long remember.
Late last year, he made history at Temuco, Chile by becoming the first ATP Challenger Tour champion from Lebanon.
The 26-year-old Habib was born in Houston, Texas and moved to Lebanon as a young child, learning how to play there. He returned to the US to pursue a pro career and feels now like he's representing of the spirit of Lebanese people.
“I know it’s just a sport, but I feel like representing Lebanon and sacrificing all the things I had to do to get here, it kind of resembles how our nation has fought back,” Habib told Australia's SBS News this week.
His personal success has come at a difficult time during the war between Israel and Hezbollah.
“Every morning, I was waking up during that challenging time, I was contacting all my family members, my friends, making sure they’re okay,” Habib told SBS News. "My heart’s just shattered to see what’s happening to our country and people.
“It was a hard time mentally for me, knowing that you can’t do anything to help, but I’m glad things are calming down now. Hopefully we’ll find some peace.”
Habib's first-round opponent at Melbourne Park will be determined when all qualifiers are inserted into the main draw.