Zlatan Ibrahimovic 'told' AC Milan who their new manager should be but the club overruled him

Zlatan Ibrahimovic identified who AC Milan’s new manager should be only for the club to veto him, a journalist has claimed.

The Italian giants have been linked with several prospective new managers since news emerged that Stefano Pioli would be departing the Italian giants at the end of the season.

Among the names mentioned is former Chelsea, Tottenham and Juventus manager Antonio Conte.

Indeed, Il Mattino claimed earlier this month that the Rossoneri hierarchy were planning to meet the Italian coach’s representatives.

And journalist Fabio Santini has now told TV Play that Ibrahimovic had spoken to Conte about the prospect of taking over at Milan, only for the proposition to be ruled out by the club’s bosses.

Speaking on TV programme ‘Ti Amo Calciomercato’ Santini said: “I don’t know if there is still the possibility of a flashback from De Laurentiis if he doesn’t succeed in getting Gasperini.

“Conte dreamed of a return to Juventus, but the director of the club Cristiano Giuntoli preferred to focus on Thiago Motta. As plan B, Conte had considered Milan and was Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s favourite candidate. However, he received a refusal from owner Gerry Cardinale.”

Ibrahimovic retired in the summer of 2023, before taking on a role as adviser to Milan’s RedBird ownership group.

Ibrahimovic has an advisory role at Milan (Getty)

Former Roma boss Paulo Fonseca is considered among the leading contenders to take over at Milan.

Upon taking his advisory role at Milan in December Ibrahimovic said: "My love for the Rossoneri will never die and the opportunity to be a part of its future in a meaningful way is something I could only have dreamed of.

"This is not a decision that I take lightly - it is one which is very important and personal to me and my family. I've thought long and hard about the first steps in my post-playing career and I couldn't be more thrilled to start that journey as a member of RedBird and AC Milan.

"For me and my family, this is truly a homecoming with the cherished club where I ended my playing career and am now starting my next chapter."