Milan’s owner Gerry Cardinale, alongside advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the club’s executives, have initiated a process of accelerating their search for a new head coach.

The Rossoneri encountered their worst-case scenario during the recent Derby della Madonnina, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat that enabled Inter to clinch their 20th Scudetto, securing their second star ahead of their city rivals.

Stefano Pioli has been facing mounting pressure at Milan for some time, with his tenure appearing increasingly precarious following the club’s exit from the Europa League quarter-finals at the hands of Roma. The derby loss further emphasized the necessity for a fresh start come summer.

According to reports from Daniele Longo of Calciomercato.com, Milan’s owner Cardinale convened with Ibrahimovic, Giorgio Furlani, and Geoffrey Moncada on Monday to initiate discussions regarding potential replacements for Pioli. These discussions are expected to intensify in the days ahead.

Milan aims to narrow down the list of candidates to two or three options by the conclusion of the following week, recognizing the importance of a coach’s involvement in the upcoming summer transfer window. Ibrahimovic is particularly eager to bring in a coach with a proven track record of success, eager to kickstart a new era immediately.

Current contenders include Xavi, Mark van Bommel, Paulo Fonseca, and Sergio Conceicao, although Thiago Motta seems less likely due to a reported verbal agreement with Juventus.