Abate snubbed as Milan choose head coach for U23 team

AC Milan have chosen the man that they want to be the head coach of the U23 team should it be officially launched next season, and it is not Ignazio Abate.

As this morning’s edition of Tuttosport (via Radio Rossonera) reports, Milan must wait for a team from the current Serie C group to not sign up for next season, but they are making plans for the side anyway.

In addition to the U23s, the project of the Milan Primavera will also continue, which this year reached the final of the UEFA Youth League having got to the semi-finals last season. Despite this, Abate is not the leading candidate to make the step up.

The paper claims that first team coach Daniele Bonera has been identified as ‘the right guide’ for the U23 team, if one were registered. The club hope that Abate will continue to be the coach of the Primavera too.

However, recent reports have outlined that Abate understandably has the desire to keep climbing up the coaching pyramid and to test himself at higher levels, while his contract expires at the end of the season.

Thus, convincing him to remain – despite his strong attachment to the club – might not be as straightforward as they hope.