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.



Dakar Rally 2025: Stage 3 Begins in Bisha, Saudi Arabia

US driver Mitch Guthrie Jr steers his car assisted by co-driver Kellon Walch during stage 2B of the 47th Dakar Rally between Bisha and Bisha, in Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2025. (AFP)
US driver Mitch Guthrie Jr steers his car assisted by co-driver Kellon Walch during stage 2B of the 47th Dakar Rally between Bisha and Bisha, in Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2025. (AFP)
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Dakar Rally 2025: Stage 3 Begins in Bisha, Saudi Arabia

US driver Mitch Guthrie Jr steers his car assisted by co-driver Kellon Walch during stage 2B of the 47th Dakar Rally between Bisha and Bisha, in Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2025. (AFP)
US driver Mitch Guthrie Jr steers his car assisted by co-driver Kellon Walch during stage 2B of the 47th Dakar Rally between Bisha and Bisha, in Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2025. (AFP)

The third stage of the Dakar Rally 2025, which is being held in Saudi Arabia for the sixth consecutive year, started Tuesday and will continue until January 17. Competitors began the stage in Bisha Governorate and will finish in Al Hanakiyah, covering a total distance of 894 km, including a timed special stage of 327 km, the Saudi Press Agency said on Wednesday.
The fourth stage of the event will start today from Al Hanakiyah and conclude in AlUla Governorate, covering a total distance of 588 km, including a timed special stage of 415 km.
Drivers will face significant challenges in this stage as they will not be able to rely on mechanical support teams.