AC Milan has just staged one of the most surprising episodes of the European transfer window by securing the signing of Rúben Amorim, former coach of Manchester United and a former champion with Sporting CP, to take over the management of the first team. After a long and troubled search for a successor, the Milanese officials have finally reached an agreement with the Portuguese coach on a two-year contract that includes an extension option and an annual salary of three million euros, plus performance bonuses.
The decision by Milan ends weeks of speculation and uncertainty, during which the San Siro club considered multiple options for the managerial position. Initially, Andoni Iraola emerged as the favorite, but the Spaniard’s hesitation to wait for Liverpool’s progress forced the Italians to turn their attention to other names linked to Ralf Rangnick, such as Oliver Glasner and Matthias Jaissle. Mauricio Pochettino and Arne Slot were also considered, but it was Amorim, the coach who won two championships in Portugal with Sporting, who ultimately earned the Rossoneri’s trust.
This signing is of enormous importance for the European landscape, not only because of the immediate impact it will have on Milan, but also due to the symbolism of a Portuguese coach returning to a giant of Serie A. The club is looking to return to the national and international spotlight and sees Amorim as the ideal profile to restore identity, tactical aggression, and results. However, the shadow of his short and controversial stint at Old Trafford looms over the expectations surrounding his arrival. Amorim, dismissed from Manchester United in January after just 47 matches – of which he won 15, drew 13, and lost 19 – ended his English adventure in a modest 15th place, after arriving in November 2025.
The specialized press has already begun to react to the news, with Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto confirming that the agreement is sealed. Rúben Amorim, contacted after a decisive meeting in Milan, simply stated: “I am very excited about this new challenge. Milan is a historic club, with a passionate fan base and a squad of immense quality. I want to bring enthusiasm back to the fans and fight for titles.” These statements, made this Monday, reflect the ambition of the Portuguese coach, who is determined to leave behind his failures in England and rebuild his career on Italian soil.
The negotiation process for Milan does not end with the signing of Amorim. The club is also in talks to secure the arrival of directors Markus Krösche and Timmo Hardung, currently linked to Eintracht Frankfurt. Both have already accepted the Milanese offer, but their release depends on a financial compensation, as they are under contract for a few more seasons. This structural investment reveals Milan’s desire to invest in a cohesive and long-term project, seeking synergies between the management and the technical staff.
Experts are divided in their analysis regarding the immediate success of the new Rossoneri coach. On one hand, Amorim’s tactical value and leadership skills are acknowledged—demonstrated unequivocally at Sporting—but on the other hand, there are legitimate doubts about his adaptation to the Italian context and potential repercussions from his failure in Manchester. “The choice would clearly be more solid if it weren’t for the poor experience at Old Trafford. Now it remains to be seen whether Amorim can recover the brilliance he displayed at Alvalade or if he will be forever marked by his inglorious stint in England,” noted an Italian sports commentator this morning.
The future of Milan, with Amorim at the helm, promises to be anything but peaceful. The squad will not require a deep revolution to fit into the new coach’s playing principles, but the line between ultra-aggressive football and tactical chaos is thin, and the Portuguese coach will have to manage extremely high expectations. For now, the priority is to finalize the sports management dossier and prepare for pre-season, where the first signs of change and expectations for the new season will begin to emerge.
With Europe’s eyes on San Siro, Milan is taking a risk by betting on a coach who, despite having once been a king in Portugal, left England wounded. Rúben Amorim now has a unique opportunity to prove that his football can succeed in any context and restore Milan to the status of European giant that has long eluded them. The upcoming season promises to be a true test of fire for the Portuguese coach and the Milanese club.
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