New Milan Manager Siniša Mihajlović Gets to Work Immediately After Signing Contract

After weeks of rumors, speculation and a "thanks, but no thanks" from Carlo Ancelotti, Milan’s long-expected coaching change is official. Filippo Inzaghi is out after one season as Milan manager. Siniša Mihajlović, a 46-year-old up-and-comer in the managerial world, took control of the club Tuesday after signing a two-year contract.

Mihajlović got to work immediately on Tuesday. Shortly after the change was announced, he was at Casa Milan to make his hiring official. According to the club’s website, Mihajlović then went to Milanello, exploring the complex with Umberto Gandini and Rocco Maiorino before holding his first meeting with his staff. Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani then welcomed Mihajlović at Berlusconi’s home at Villa San Martino, Arcore, where they discussed plans for the club’s future.

Since retiring as a player in 2006, Mihajlović has bounced around as a manager, mainly in the Serie A. After two years as an assistant to Roberto Mancini at Inter, he was hired as manager of Bologna for the 2008-09 season. After a season each at Bologna, Catania and Fiorentina, Mihajlović was hired to coach Serbia. He was fired after only 19 matches, of which he won seven and lost eight.

Mihajlović joins Milan after two successful seasons at Sampdoria. After taking over for Delio Rossi in November 2013, Mihajlović helped Sampdoria escape the threat of relegation, finishing 13 points out of the drop zone in 12th place. In the 2014-15 season, only the top three teams in Serie A conceded fewer goals than Sampdoria, which finished seventh and qualified for the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.

Under Inzaghi, Milan finished in 10th place last season, failing to qualify for European competition for the second straight season. Only Napoli (54 goals) conceded more than Milan (50) among the sides in the top half of the table.