AC Milan’s search for a new head coach is taking shape as the club weighs several options while former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola considers his next move. The Spanish coach, who recently completed a successful three-year spell at Bournemouth that ended with qualification for the next Europa League, has become an attractive candidate for multiple clubs. Alongside Milan, Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen have also shown interest, with the German side currently seen as leading the race.
Milan’s situation remains unsettled, with the club also facing broader changes in its sporting structure. The Rossoneri are believed to be considering Ralf Rangnick for a technical leadership role, continuing an interest that dates back several seasons. Any coaching appointment would likely depend on how the club reorganizes its management after recent changes driven by ownership group RedBird.
One of the names being discussed for the bench is Matthias Jaissle, the 38-year-old German coach currently managing Al Ahli. Jaissle would represent a clear break from Milan’s recent past and a more modern, forward-looking choice. His candidacy is reportedly backed by Rangnick, who previously coached him at Hoffenheim between 2007 and 2011. Since then, Jaissle has built a reputation as an ambitious and successful coach. He has been in charge of Al Ahli since 2023 and has won two continental Champions League titles with the club. His contract runs until next year, and his salary is said to be around €11 million per season, making him an expensive but intriguing option if Milan moves forward with serious talks.
Another serious possibility is Mauricio Pochettino, whose profile is very different from Jaissle’s. The Argentine coach brings experience, prestige and a track record built at clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. Pochettino is currently leading the United States national team, which appointed him in 2024 as part of a long-term effort to build a stronger program ahead of the World Cup. The US Soccer Federation is said to be keen on keeping him, and any move away from that role would likely depend on the completion of his World Cup commitment.
Pochettino has not denied contact between his representatives and Milan. In a recent press conference, he acknowledged that agents often speak with different clubs, while making clear that his current deal with the United States extends through the World Cup period. He also stressed that, if asked to leave immediately, he would not abandon that commitment.
For Milan, time is a major factor. The club needs clarity quickly as it tries to define the next phase of its project and shape the squad for the future. With management changes still unfolding and key decisions pending, finding the right coach has become an urgent priority. The race remains open, but Milan now needs a decisive move.
