From Missed Chance to World Cup Glory: How AC Milan Overlooked Luis de la Fuente

FolioPitch.com – 17 July 2026 | In a stunning revelation that underscores the unpredictable nature of football management, it has emerged that AC Milan seriously considered Luis de la Fuente for their coaching position in 2024. The news, confirmed by Italian media, reveals that De la Fuente was among several candidates evaluated by the Rossoneri’s hierarchy when Stefano Pioli’s tenure ended after the 2023/24 season. This revelation adds a new dimension to Milan’s recent struggles and De la Fuente’s remarkable ascent to the World Cup final.

The story of how Milan considered Luis de la Fuente in 2024 is a classic tale of sliding doors. At the time, the Spanish coach was preparing for what would become a triumphant Euro 2024 campaign. Milan ultimately opted for Paulo Fonseca, after initially targeting Julen Lopetegui. But the fact that De la Fuente’s name was on the shortlist is now a compelling ‘what if’ scenario.

Fast forward to 2026, and De la Fuente is preparing to lead Spain into a World Cup final against Argentina. His journey from the Spanish federation’s youth ranks to the pinnacle of international football has been nothing short of remarkable. Since taking over from Luis Enrique in 2023, De la Fuente has won the Nations League, Euro 2024, and now stands on the verge of World Cup glory. His success is built on a philosophy of collective strength, maximizing the potential of players like Unai Simón, Pedro Porro, and Mikel Oyarzabal, alongside superstars like Lamine Yamal and Rodri.

Meanwhile, AC Milan’s decision to overlook De la Fuente has not aged well. The club has cycled through coaches, including Fonseca and now Ruben Amorim, and has missed out on Champions League qualification. The contrast between Milan’s instability and De la Fuente’s steady rise is stark. This revelation about Milan considering De la Fuente in 2024 serves as a poignant reminder of how a single decision can alter a club’s trajectory.

The ‘Revealed Milan considered World Cup finalist De la Fuente in 2024’ story also highlights the unpredictability of coaching searches. Milan’s hierarchy, faced with replacing Pioli, deliberated over several candidates. Lopetegui was the initial favorite, but negotiations stalled. Fonseca eventually got the job, but his tenure was short-lived. De la Fuente, meanwhile, continued his work with Spain, largely unnoticed by the wider football world. It was only after his Euro 2024 triumph that the football community fully recognized his tactical acumen.

As the World Cup final approaches, the decision by Milan not to pursue De la Fuente looks increasingly like a missed opportunity. The ‘Revealed Milan considered World Cup finalist De la Fuente in 2024’ narrative is a cautionary tale for clubs that overlook coaches with a proven developmental track record. De la Fuente’s background in Spain’s youth system, where he won European titles at U-19 and U-21 levels and an Olympic silver medal, should have been a clear indicator of his potential.

For Milan, the focus now is on Ruben Amorim, a promising but relatively untested coach at the top level. Whether Amorim can replicate De la Fuente’s success remains to be seen. But the revelation that Milan considered De la Fuente in 2024 adds a layer of intrigue to Sunday’s final. It is a story that will be retold many times, especially if De la Fuente’s Spain lifts the World Cup trophy.

In conclusion, the ‘Revealed Milan considered World Cup finalist De la Fuente in 2024’ episode serves as a fascinating case study in football management. It underscores the importance of thorough scouting and the dangers of overlooking coaches who may not fit the typical profile. De la Fuente’s quiet demeanor and lack of high-profile club experience might have counted against him in Milan’s eyes, but his results speak for themselves. As the world watches Spain battle Argentina, the question lingers: what if Milan had taken a different path?