AC Milan officially announced the dismissal of Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca on Monday, following the team’s 1-1 draw against AS Roma at the Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro). The news was initially revealed by Fonseca himself in the early hours after the match.

"AC Milan announces that Paulo Fonseca has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the men’s first team. The club thanks Paulo for his professionalism and wishes him the best in his future endeavors," read the club’s official statement.

Fonseca confirmed the decision to local media as he left the stadium after a brief meeting with the Milan management.

“Yes, it’s true, I’m no longer with Milan. That’s life. My conscience is clear; I did everything I could,” the Portuguese coach stated from his car past midnight.

The draw against Roma marked the end of a challenging period for Fonseca at Milan. His tenure was marred by inconsistent performances, clashes with high-profile players, and a disappointing league position. The team sits eighth in Serie A with 27 points—14 points behind the league leaders, eight points away from Champions League qualification, and with only one win in their last four matches.

To replace Fonseca, the leading candidate is his compatriot Sérgio Conceição, the former FC Porto manager and ex-player for Lazio, Parma, and Inter Milan, among others.