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.



French Open Organizers Introduce Draw to Access Ticket Sales

Spectators watch as Italy's Fabio Fognini serves against Australia's Alexei Popyrin during their first round match at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, May 22, 2022. (AP)
Spectators watch as Italy's Fabio Fognini serves against Australia's Alexei Popyrin during their first round match at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, May 22, 2022. (AP)
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French Open Organizers Introduce Draw to Access Ticket Sales

Spectators watch as Italy's Fabio Fognini serves against Australia's Alexei Popyrin during their first round match at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, May 22, 2022. (AP)
Spectators watch as Italy's Fabio Fognini serves against Australia's Alexei Popyrin during their first round match at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, May 22, 2022. (AP)

French Open organizers are introducing a draw system to access ticket sales for the clay-court Grand Slam tournament.

The French tennis federation said Tuesday it faces an “ever-increasing demand” and that the trial of a random draw for the general public should help reduce waiting times and ensure a fairer access to seats.

“Finally, this new sales system will make it possible to combat fraud and the purchase of tickets by bots,” organizers said.

Registration for the draw will run from Jan. 27 to Feb. 9. Being selected in the draw will guarantee access to ticket sales, but not necessarily the right to receive tickets for a specific day or court, organizers said.

The French federation has also limited the maximum number of tickets one can buy for the main courts to four per person.

The French Open takes place from May 25-June 8 at Roland Garros stadium in Paris.