Milan appoint Gattuso to replace Montella, Lukaku may be absent from Manchester derby

The San Siro team decided to change coach, after unsatisfactory results since the beginning of the season. Meanwhile, the Man Utd striker could be fined after the FA reviewed the video footage.

Milan change coach

"AC Milan announces that it has parted ways with Vincenzo Montella. The first team management job now falls to Gennaro Gattuso, who has left his position at Primavera. We wish him all the best," AC Milan announced on Twitter.

Montella had to leave because he failed to meet the expectations of his Chinese bosses. Photo: Reuters.

Montella helped Milan qualify for the Europa League with a sixth-place finish last season, but disappointing results in the first 14 rounds of Serie A this year cost him his job.

The 0-0 draw with Torino on November 26 was the "last straw", causing the Milan board to decide to fire Montella, even though rumors about this had been circulating for weeks. Gattuso is a familiar name to Milan, having made his name as a defensive midfielder for the club from 2002 to 2011. He began his coaching career in 2013 but has never worked in Serie A. Since the beginning of 2017-2018, the 39-year-old former midfielder has worked in Milan's youth team - Milan Primavera.

Gattuso will take over as Milan's coach. Photo: AFP.

AC Milan received a huge financial investment in the summer transfer window. The Chinese owners, headed by billionaire Li Yonghong, spent $250 million to bring in 10 new players. The most notable of these was the capture of centre-back Leonardo Bonucci, who was selected in FIFA's 2016 best 11 players, from Juventus. Therefore, the ambition of the San Siro team is much greater than last season.

Milan are seventh in Serie A. They have 20 points after 14 games with six wins, one loss and two draws, 18 points behind leaders Napoli. In the Europa League, Milan are top of Group D after five games with three wins and two draws. They have already qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament.

Lukaku could be banned for three matches, absent from Manchester derby

Man Utd striker punches Brighton defender Gaetan Bong, and could be fined after FA review footage.

In the corner kick that led to Man Utd's only goal in their 1-0 win over Brighton, video footage showed Romelu Lukaku unleashing two kicks towards Gaetan Bong while being closely marked by the defender in a high ball contest.

Lukaku's back kick hit Bong's sensitive area. Photo: Sport Premium.

Lukaku and Bong both jumped but the ball was cleared by a Brighton player. Ashley Young picked up the ball outside the box, dribbled past and shot past Lewis Dunk, deflected and into the net.

Referee Neil Swarbrick did not see the incident. According to some viewers, the referee should have awarded Brighton a free kick and shown Lukaku a yellow card for this foul play.

However, on November 27, Mr Swarbrick will submit a match report to the FA. If the above incident is included in the referee's report, Lukaku could be punished.

According to ESPN, violent conduct could see Lukaku banned for three matches. If this happens, the Belgian striker will have to miss this week's match against Watford, the match against Arsenal at the weekend, and especially the Manchester derby against Man City later.

Lukaku kicks with his right foot...

...then his left foot towards Bong. The referee did not see this situation. Photo: Sport Premium.

In an analysis on Mail Online, former referee Graham Poll commented that Lukaku should be banned. Mr Poll said that this was just a normal jostling situation between the two players, Bong did not provoke Lukaku. However, the Man Utd striker overreacted by kicking his opponent with his right foot and then his left. The second kick hit Bong in a sensitive area and could have caused pain.

Graham Poll believes that referee Swarbrick should have given Lukaku a red card in this situation. The famous former Premier League referee also praised Bong because the Brighton defender ignored Lukaku's foul play.

Man Utd are eight points behind Man City. Losing Lukaku would be a huge blow to Jose Mourinho's side, despite the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

According to VNE