Dest: AC Milan ‘the wrong place at the wrong time’ but I hope to return

EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS – SEPTEMBER 16: Anouar Ait El Hadj of R. Union Saint-Gilloise shoots whilst under pressure from Sergino Dest of PSV Eindhoven during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between PSV Eindhoven and R. Union Saint-Gilloise at PSV Stadion on September 16, 2025 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Sergiño Dest admits he joined Milan at the ‘wrong moment’ in his career, but hopes to play for the Rossoneri again in the future.

USMNT star Sergiño Dest hopes to return to Milan one day, even if his first and only spell at San Siro in 2022-23 ended with just 14 appearances across all competitions.

It was “the wrong place at the wrong time. The timing was unlucky,” the American defender, scorer of two goals in 35 appearances with the USMNT, told Gazzetta.

“I wasn’t at my best physically, I have to be honest, especially because I came from a complicated situation at Barcelona. I remember there was great trust from Maldini and Massara from the very first day I arrived. With Pioli, there wasn’t a great connection; Calabria was the captain and played in my same position. It wasn’t even easy for Pioli to manage the situation and Milan remain an incredible club.”

Dest had ‘good relationship’ with Pioli at Milan

The 24-year-old, however, admits that he was never on bad terms with the former Rossoneri boss.

“The relationship was always good, by connection I mean I honestly hoped to play more,” he said.

“I want to say that I never had any problems with him; he’s a good person. He’s made some choices, and I respect him.”

Dest, currently under contract with Dutch side PSV, has ambitious plans for the new season and hopes to return to Italy one day, possibly joining Milan again.

“I have three dreams, simple ones: win the league again with PSV for the third consecutive time, have a good World Cup in 2026 and return to another major European club, maybe in Italy,” he admitted.

Dest hopes to return to Milan

“Milan is a fantastic city, I hope to go back there one day.”

Dest is under contract with PSV until June 2028. He has scored four goals and provided one assist in 52 appearances across all competitions with the Eredivisie giants.

Before joining Milan, Dest scored three goals and provided four assists in 72 appearances across all competitions with Barcelona.