Paulo Fonseca Confirms He’s Been Fired by AC Milan with Sergio Conceicao Lined up to Replace Him

 AC Milan's Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca looks on during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and AS Roma at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy on December 29, 2024. (AFP)
AC Milan's Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca looks on during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and AS Roma at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy on December 29, 2024. (AFP)
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Paulo Fonseca Confirms He’s Been Fired by AC Milan with Sergio Conceicao Lined up to Replace Him

 AC Milan's Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca looks on during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and AS Roma at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy on December 29, 2024. (AFP)
AC Milan's Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca looks on during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and AS Roma at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy on December 29, 2024. (AFP)

Paulo Fonseca has been fired by AC Milan, the coach confirmed in the early hours of Monday morning as he left the San Siro stadium following a 1-1 draw with Roma.

"Yes, it's true. I'm out," Fonseca told reporters when he lowered his car window. "That's life. ... I did everything I could."

Milan is expected to announce the move later Monday and hire Sergio Conceicao, another Portuguese coach, as Fonseca's replacement.

Milan next plays against Juventus in the Italian Super Cup semifinals in Saudi Arabia on Friday.

Fonseca was hired in June and produced only 12 wins in 24 matches across all competitions.

Milan is eighth in Serie A, trailing leaders Atalanta and Napoli by 14 points - far worse than the second place result earned under Stefano Pioli last season.

Milan has fared better in the Champions League lately following four straight wins, including a 3-1 result at Real Madrid. The Rossoneri are in 12th place and on course to qualify for the knockout playoff round.

Conceicao, who played in Serie A with Lazio, Parma and Inter Milan, coached Porto for six seasons before stepping down in June.



Messi to Get Presidential Medal of Freedom from Biden

Argentina's Lionel Messi was involved in both goals on Thursday night, setting up the second for Lautaro Martinez in the 88th minute and extending his tournament assists record to 18. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
Argentina's Lionel Messi was involved in both goals on Thursday night, setting up the second for Lautaro Martinez in the 88th minute and extending his tournament assists record to 18. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
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Messi to Get Presidential Medal of Freedom from Biden

Argentina's Lionel Messi was involved in both goals on Thursday night, setting up the second for Lautaro Martinez in the 88th minute and extending his tournament assists record to 18. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
Argentina's Lionel Messi was involved in both goals on Thursday night, setting up the second for Lautaro Martinez in the 88th minute and extending his tournament assists record to 18. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images

Joe Biden on Saturday will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 honorees, bestowing the highest civilian honor in the United States to entertainers, sports stars, politicians and diplomats.

Among those to receive honors from the outgoing US president are basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson and soccer superstar Lionel Messi, AFP reported.

The honorees "are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world," the White House said in a statement,