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Serie A giants AC Milan have reportedly sounded out Bologna boss and reported Manchester United managerial target Thiago Motta with their current manager Stefano Pioli set to be sacked.
Motta has been heavily linked to a switch to United as a potential replacement for Erik ten Hag.
Amidst United’s struggles this season on the pitch, it has been suggested that Ten Hag’s job is not entirely safe.
New club co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are thought to not be very convinced by the Dutchman’s long-term suitability and his ability to turn the current awful situation around.
This term, Ten Hag has been subjected to intense criticism for the side’s poor performances and dismal results. Often, United have looked chaotic, disorganized and bereft of any motivation when the odds are stacked against them.
Alongside Motta, some of the other top coaches the Red Devils have been linked to include Gareth Southgate, Zinedine Zidane, Graham Potter, Gary O’Neil, Thomas Frank, Carlo Ancelotti, Julian Nagelsmann and Roberto De Zerbi.
United are not the only party chasing Motta, with Juventus also believed to be admirers of his. However, a previous report covered by The Peoples Person noted that the Rossoblu boss would prefer a move abroad over staying in Italy. In particular, he likes England and the Premier League.
Calciomercato journalist Daniele Longo has given an update on Motta’s situation and relayed that AC Milan have joined the race to land his services and have even gone a step further by contacting the highly sought-after 41-year-old tactician.
Longo also mentions that the former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder is in talks with Juventus about possibly taking over from Massimiliano Allegri.
Il Milan ha avuto contatti con Thiago Motta ma come raccontato il tecnico Italo-brasiliano è in parola con la Juve https://t.co/3mktpj90O0
— Daniele Longo (@86_longo) April 20, 2024
Milan’s pursuit of Motta comes amidst expectations that Pioli will be sacked, as confirmed by the reliable Fabrizio Romano earlier on Saturday.
🚨🔴⚫️ AC Milan plans remain clear and have not changed: Stefano Pioli, expected to be sacked at the end of the season.
Formal steps to follow in the next weeks to part ways with the manager. pic.twitter.com/99z3miTr4Z
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 19, 2024
Last week, the Rossoneri were knocked out of the Europa League by Serie A rivals AS Roma who beat them 2-1 in the return leg of the quarter-final and 3-1 on aggregate.
Nonetheless, should reports hold true that Motta favours England and United continue their pursuit to secure his signature, the risk of losing out to competitors such as Juventus and AC Milan need not be overly concerning. However, it remains crucial for United not to become complacent while other clubs are actively manoeuvring in anticipation of what appears to be a significant managerial scramble this summer.
United return to action on Sunday when they take on Coventry City in the semi-final of the FA Cup.
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