Italian manager Stefano Pioli will remain at the helm of AC Milan despite the recent rumors about his exit. The Seria A side confirmed that Pioli inked an extension on Tuesday that will keep him with the club through 2022.
Pioli took over the club as a temporary solution in October, but managed to transform the team’s fortunes in his short period at San Siro. He won 50 percent of his games with Milan while keeping the club in fifth place in Seria A.
“I am happy and proud of the trust I have received from AC Milan,” said Pioli after the news was made official. “I want to thank everyone, including our fans, who we are really missing at the stadium, but are always close and supportive.”
AC Milan reportedly had plans to hand over the reins of the club to RB Leipzig’s sporting director Ralf Rangnick. Under the agreement, Rangnick would serve as the team’s head coach while also having the final word on transfers and personnel decisions.
Still, Stefano Pioli’s good results prompted the club’s front office to change their decision.
“I am delighted with this agreement,” said Milan’s chief executive Ivan Gazidis. “Stefano has shown he can deliver the vision of football we have for our club – exciting, progressive, and passionate.”
Pioli spent his entire managerial career in Italy, serving with 14 different clubs. Besides Milan, he also coached their bitter rivals Inter as well as Bologna, Lazio, and Fiorentina among others.
