Stefano Pioli will almost certainly leave Milan in the summer, but he isn’t willing to depart for free, expecting some form of severance pay, reports suggest.
The 58-year-old Italian coach has lost the faith of the fans and the club’s management over the course of this season and is on track to be replaced at the end of the term, with possible replacements including Sergio Conceicao and Paulo Fonseca.
Pioli has been heavily linked with a move to Napoli in the summer, with Aurelio De Laurentiis seemingly getting cold feet over old favourite Antonio Conte, but no agreement has been reached yet as the transfer market fast approaches.
Pioli position
La Repubblica via TMW details how Pioli is not willing to terminate his contract with Milan a year early and give up the final year of his €4.5m net wages, so the club will either need to agree some form of severance pay or leave him on their books for the 2024-25 campaign.
Should no agreement be reached, he’d be unable to accept a move to Napoli, which would likely prompt a sabbatical year. If the two parties do agree an exit, then the tactician would be able to progress talks with Aurelio De Laurentiis.