According to recent reports from Italian media, AC Milan is considering Lee Congerton, a former executive with experience at Liverpool, Chelsea, and Atalanta, as the leading candidate for their vacant sporting director role.
The Rossoneri have been searching for a new sporting director since the beginning of 2025. Initially, they were close to an agreement with Fabio Paratici, but the deal fell through due to legal issues. Other candidates linked to the position include Igli Tare (formerly of Lazio), Tony D`Amico (currently at Atalanta), Giovanni Sartori (Bologna), and Giovanni Manna (Napoli).
However, with no official agreements reached, Milan has now turned its attention to Congerton, who has been serving as the sporting director for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli for the past 14 months. Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Congerton is now the frontrunner for the Milan position, though the club is still evaluating other options. A final decision is expected shortly after the conclusion of the 2024-25 season.
Lee Congerton`s Career Background
Congerton began his career at Wrexham as youth team director before joining Liverpool`s coaching staff under Gerard Houllier in 2002. He later worked as a youth coach at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho and was eventually promoted to chief scout.
The Welsh executive followed Frank Arnesen to Hamburger SV in 2011, where he notably identified and signed current Inter Milan star Hakan Calhanoglu. Congerton has also held positions at various UK clubs, including sporting director at Sunderland, chief scout at Celtic, and head of senior recruitment at Leicester City from 2019 to 2022.
Congerton`s experience in Serie A comes from his two-year stint as director of football at Atalanta between 2022 and 2024. During this period, he is credited with signing Ademola Lookman, the reigning African Player of the Year.
In his most recent role at Al-Ahli, Congerton has been praised for securing high-profile signings such as Galeno and Ivan Toney, contributing to the club`s recent AFC Champions League victory.