Ruben Amorim has landed at AC Milan, the Portuguese coach confirming his appointment as head coach at the San Siro just months after Manchester United showed him the door in January. It is a massive move for the 41-year-old, who now takes on one of football’s most storied clubs — and he has made no secret of how much it means to him.
Ruben Amorim Appointment Signals AC Milan’s Ambition to Return to Europe’s Elite
Milan turned to Amorim following their decision to part ways with Massimiliano Allegri at the conclusion of the 2025-26 Serie A campaign. It was a season to forget for the Rossoneri — a fifth-place finish meant they missed out on Champions League football entirely. Clearly, the club’s hierarchy decided that required a bold call, and bringing in one of the most talked-about coaches in recent European football is exactly that.
In a statement released by the club, Amorim did not hold back. “There are ambitions that stay with you throughout your career, and coaching AC Milan has always been one of mine,” he said. “I know exactly what this club means: history, prestige and an extraordinary fanbase around the world. It is a challenge I embrace with pride and enthusiasm, fully aware of what these colours represent. I can’t wait to get started and to experience every day the passion that drives AC Milan.”
Hard to argue with that energy. Whether he can translate it into results is the only question that matters now.
From Casa Pia to Old Trafford — A Managerial Journey That Leads to the San Siro
Amorim built his reputation in Portugal, cutting his teeth at Casa Pia before stints with Braga and Sporting CP turned serious heads across the continent. That trajectory earned him the Old Trafford job, but his 14-month spell in Manchester unravelled before last season was done. BBC Sport covered his departure extensively as Michael Carrick stepped in as interim manager before eventually securing the role on a permanent basis.
Meanwhile, the financial fallout from Amorim’s United exit remains relevant. Club accounts published in February revealed a provision of £15.9 million related to compensation owed to Amorim and his backroom staff. However, according to sources speaking to ESPN, that figure could yet come down now that he has walked into another job — United may save a portion of what they originally owed.
Finally, there is one date already circled in both clubs’ calendars: 15 August, when Milan and United meet in a preseason friendly in Poland. Given everything that has happened, that one carries a little extra spice.