Emerging: AC Milan are in the market for a new head coach and there is one name that appeals in particular appeals to Zlatan Ibrahimovic…..

AC Milan are in the market for a new head coach and there is one name that appeals in particular appeals to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a report claims.

Calciomercato.com recall the names that have been linked with the Milan job: Antonio Conte, Thiago Motta, Roberto De Zerbi, Julen Lopetegui, Paulo Fonseca, Christophe Galtier, Marcelo Gallardo, Sergio Conceiçao and Marco Rose.

There are nine candidates to coach Milan, all reported either yesterday or today. The tenth is Mark van Bommel, who is a man that is well known to the Rossoneri given that he was a part of the Scudetto-winning side in 2010-11.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will choose the next head coach of Milan, as per the report, and he knows that there is no room for making a mistake given that the post-Pioli era has an obligation to bring success and trophies.

Ibrahimovic would like Van Bommel, the Dutchman who was his team-mate in 2011. However, his career as a player doesn’t count for anything when it comes to management and the Swede knows that.

Van Bommel made his way through the coaching ranks, starting with Netherlands U17 assistant in 2013, the continuing with being Saudi Arabia assistant and PSV U19 manager.

He was Australia’s assistant, then PSV head coach, Wolfsburg head coach and joined Antwerp in 2022, winning the league and cup double last season.

Milan targets grow, but so does Lopetegui resistance

While resistance grows to the idea of Julen Lopetegui at Milan, Sky Sport Italia report other candidates include Ruben Amorim, Xavi, Unai Emery and Sergio Conceicao.

Stefano Pioli is widely expected to be fired at the end of the season after the Europa League quarter-final exit to 10-man Roma.

The race is on to find his replacement and the name mentioned most often by various sources including La Gazzetta dello Sport and Sky Sport Italia is Lopetegui.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Spaniard has also been approached by West Ham United, who would even offer him a higher salary, but he is prepared to wait for a month in case Milan opt for him.

It is already proving to be a very unpopular idea, with protests growing on social media, while all the Sky Sport Italia pundits in the studio including Billy Costacurta and Paolo Condò warned this would “not be an upgrade” on Pioli.

Milan seek international edge

Di Marzio shrugs off the Gazzetta dello Sport suggestions of Marcelo Gallardo, Christophe Galtier and Paulo Fonseca, but does confirm Milan are looking for a foreign coach.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been given a key role advising owner Gerry Cardinale and it’s suggested he wans Xavi, who is leaving Barcelona at the end of the season.

Thiago Motta is another preferred candidate, but he is said to already have a verbal agreement with Juventus.

Ruben Amorim of Sporting CP is reportedly close to Liverpool, but not locked down yet, while Sergio Conceicao at FC Porto would relish a return to Serie A after his playing days.

Thomas Tuchel will be fired by Bayern Munich and Unai Emery is currently at Aston Villa, but also linked with Manchester United.