Clarification, Pulisic And Fofana Don't Dispute With AC Milan Manager

Christian Pulisic argued that he had a feud with Sergia Conceicao (Instagram/@campulisic).

JAKARTA - Christian Pulisic denied any rift between himself and AC Milan manager Sergio Conceicao after reports emerged that he demanded to leave the club if the Portuguese manager persists next season.

Italian media claimed on Thursday, February 21, 2025, that Pulisic and midfielder Youssouf Fofana had clashed with Conceicao after being disappointedly eliminated from the knockout phase of the Champions League in the hands of Feyennoord on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

La Repubblica said the United States forward would ask to leave unless Conceicao was sacked before the 2025/2026 season.

The report also claims that Pulisic and Fofana are the most vocal parties against Conceicao's method which is said to have irritated several squad members even though the coach was only appointed on December 30, 2024.

AC Milan shared a statement from Pulisic on X in response to the claim.

"I've never argued with a coach and I've never asked to leave. I'm very happy at Milan and I want to continue wearing this shirt."

"Reading this lie is unacceptable, but let's all continue to unite and fight together on the pitch, for the club and for our fans," Pulisic said.

The report on the deadlock was exaggerated and that teams are united in their efforts to qualify for the Champions League again next season.

Pulisic was pulled out after an hour of Milan's 1-1 draw with Feyenoord.

He was the first to be substituted despite leading the team in a goal contribution across all games this season with 21 goals.

He has moved position to the right wing to accommodate Conceicao's desire to play Rafael Leao on the left and loan player Joao Felix in the middle.

There is no indication that the shift in the playing position was the cause of an argument with the manager.

AC Milan are experiencing difficulties this season, with Paulo Fonseca fired after only half a season as the Rossoneri are in eighth place in Serie A.

Conceicao was signed on a two-and-a-half year contract and had an almost instant impact as they beat Inter Milan's tough rivals to lift the Italian Super Cup in January 2025.

Their performance in the league under former FC coach Porto has sent the team up to seventh.

Even so, they still have one game more and are five points clear of Juventus on the final stairs of the Champions League zone, aka fourth.

Milan will travel to Torino on Sunday, February 23, 2025, early morning Indonesian Western Time (WIB), in their next match as they continue their efforts to get a place in the Champions League next year.