Monchi explains why Lopetegui is the ‘perfect candidate’ for Milan: 'Three virtues'

Julen Lopeegui is one of the candidates to replace Stefano Pioli at AC Milan and based on recent reports, he’s in pole position. Speaking to Italian media, his former director Monchi explained why he’s the ‘perfect candidate’ for the Rossoneri. 

Monchi hired Loptegui during his second spell at Sevilla, having left Roma to rejoin the team, and he won the Europa League trophy with the manager. Currently part of the successful Aston Villa, the director still holds Lopetegui in high regard.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, as cited by MilanNews, Monchi explained why Lopetegui is the perfect candidate to replace Pioli. Above all, there are three virtues that make the manager stand out and these will gel with Milan’s project.

On Lopetegui joining Milan…

“For me, Julen has three virtues that I consider fundamental for any coach: great professional qualities, competitiveness, and group management. When I  began talking with him about Sevilla, I felt this immediately, and certain qualities don’t get lost over time, on the contrary, they consolidate with experience.

“Then, when we started working on building the team which in Sevilla’s case required radical changes, the virtues that I had visualized in the first conversations materialised in everyday life, between training and matches.”

Apparently Lopetegui will have no difficulty in adapting to Milan and Italian football…

“He won’t have any problems because he’s used to working in big teams, and therefore in situations of great pressure and demands. I’m thinking of Porto, Real Madrid, the Spanish national team.

“This is why I’m convinced that Julen is a perfect candidate. First of all, Italian football is becoming more globalised every day, then the tactical aspect is historically of great importance and he’s a coach who works very well in this respect,” he concluded.

It remains to be seen what decision will be made, but Milan have taken note of the fan criticism and will take that into consideration. Lopetegui may be one of the primary candidates, but the appointment is far from certain at the moment.