Pioli on Conceicao prospects, Italy aspirations and Milan in Supercoppa | OneFootball

Stefano Pioli believes that Sergio Conceicao has all the tools required to succeed in charge of Milan, joked that he still felt like he was coaching the team during the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final and has revealed his ambitions to coach the Italy national team in the future.

The former Milan coach spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport in Riyadh ahead of the Supercoppa Italiana final between his former club and their city rivals Inter, which is taking place on Monday night.

Pioli has made a series of visits to his old team while they have been based out in Riyadh. He received a warm welcome at the team’s training session and also watched their semi-final victory over Juventus from the stands.

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TURIN, ITALY – APRIL 27: Stefano Pioli, Head Coach of AC Milan, speaks with Tijjani Reijnders and Ismael Bennacer of AC Milan during the Serie A TIM match between Juventus and AC Milan at Allianz Stadium on April 27, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Pioli joked that he felt that he was still coaching the Rossoneri as he was sat just behind the dugout at the KSU Stadium.

He also admitted that it is still ‘difficult’ to sit down and watch Milan play following his departure at the end of last season.

“I haven’t seen much of Milan, I didn’t feel like it at the beginning of the season. It was difficult for me to watch, so I haven’t seen very much.

Asked whether he misses life with Milan, Pioli said: “Yes and no. I can’t dwell on the past too much. It’s a top club and leaving wasn’t easy, but I’m happy where I am. I’m working hard. If I look back, I do miss it though. So let’s look forward.”

Pioli: ‘It felt like I was still coaching Milan’

“ I had a seat just above the Milan dugout for the semi-final,” Pioli continued. “It almost felt like I was still coaching them.”

The current Al Nassr coach went on to give his verdict of the current incumbent in the Milan hotseat, Sergio Conceicao.

epa11804138 AC Milan’s head coach Sergio Conceicao gestures during the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final match between Juventus FC and AC Milan, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 03 January 2025. EPA-EFE/STR

“It’s always difficult to play against Conceicao. He made a great impression on me at Porto, he has a clear mentality, he has all the right tools.”

Pioli on Italy national team ambitions

Italy-Israel huddle (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

Pioli also revealed that he dreams of taking charge of the Italy national team at some point in the future.

“I would like that, very much,” he said. “I have to say that I like coaching every day, but in the future, yes, I would like to coach Italy very much.”