AC Milan considered appointing Spain manager Luis de la Fuente during their search for a new head coach in 2024, Italian media have revealed, only to hire Paulo Fonseca instead. Two years later, De la Fuente prepares to lead Spain into the World Cup final against Argentina, while the Italian club have turned to Ruben Amorim following a period of instability.
The Appointment That Never Was
Stefano Pioli departed San Siro in the summer of 2024 after a five-year tenure that concluded with the 2023/24 season. The Rossoneri hierarchy evaluated several candidates to succeed him, initially identifying Julen Lopetegui as their primary target. However, De la Fuente’s name also featured prominently among the genuine contenders, according to reports from Italy.
The discussions never advanced beyond preliminary stages. At the time, De la Fuente was fully committed to preparing Spain for the European Championship finals, a tournament he would ultimately win. This dedication to his national team role has since been vindicated through an extraordinary period of success on the international stage.
Spain’s Golden Era
Since stepping up from Spain’s youth ranks to replace Luis Enrique in 2023, De la Fuente has transformed the national team’s fortunes. He guided Spain to European Championship glory in 2024 and added the Nations League trophy to his collection. Now he stands one victory away from a World Cup triumph against Argentina.
The 63-year-old’s achievements are particularly notable given Spain’s squad composition. Beyond standout talents such as Lamine Yamal and former Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, the team lacks established superstars. De la Fuente has maximised this collective through his faith in players including Unai Simón, Pedro Porro and Mikel Oyarzabal.
His career path has been built almost entirely within the Spanish football development system. Prior to taking the senior position, he collected European titles at Under-19 and Under-21 level and secured Olympic silver at Tokyo 2020. This background in youth development has clearly shaped his approach with the senior side.
Milan’s Managerial Turnover
Meanwhile, Milan’s alternative path has produced less stable results. The club appointed Fonseca in 2024 but have since moved on, with Ruben Amorim now installed as the latest manager tasked with rebuilding the side. The Rossoneri finished outside the Champions League places last season, representing a significant setback for a club of their stature.
The contrast between Spain’s stability under De la Fuente and Milan’s churn through the dugout could hardly be more pronounced. As Sunday’s final approaches, the sliding-doors nature of that 2024 decision becomes ever more apparent. While De la Fuente seeks to complete an unprecedented international treble, Milan supporters can only speculate on what might have been had the club pursued the man from La Rioja.