Vincenzo Montella appointed as a new AC Milan manager

AC Milan have appointed Sampdoria manager Vincenzo Montella as their new manager.

The 42-year-old will sit on the Rossoneri bench next season after signing a two-year contract.

He replaces Cristian Brocchi at San Siro after the Rossoneri decided to make another change in the dugout.

Brocchi only took over from Sinisa Mihajlovic in April but failed to turn around Milan’s fortunes as they slumped to a seventh-place finish in Serie A.

Montella managed to guide Sampdoria away from the relegation zone last season and will make his move to Milan officially next month.

A statement on the club’s official website read: “Vincenzo Montella is our new coach. Vincenzo has signed a two-year contract from July 1.

“The club’s belief is that, with this naming of a new coach, the Rossoneri’s game will be fruitful and positive.

“A heartfelt thanks goes to Cristian Brocchi for the enthusiasm, the preparation and the intensity with which he faced his career as manager at AC Milan.”

Brocchi reportedly asked to be released so he can accept the job at Serie B club Brescia.

Montella – who took in playing spells at Empoli, Genoa, Sampdoria, Roma and Fulham, on loan then started his coaching career at Roma in 2011 before a year at Catania, then moved to Fiorentina, where he finished fourth in three straight seasons. He then helped Sampdoria finish 15th.

Milan CEO Adriano Galliani said: “We start again with Montella. There’s a lot of satisfaction, we believe we’ve made a good choice. Let’s hope it goes well.”