Ruben Amorim leads AC Milan manager search after talks in Lisbon; pre-season date with Manchester United set
Former Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has emerged as the frontrunner for the AC Milan position, following talks with the club's hierarchy in Lisbon last week.
Milan's search after Allegri exit
AC Milan dismissed Massimiliano Allegri in May after the side missed out on Champions League qualification for a second successive campaign. The club also parted ways with sporting director Igli Tare, chief executive Giorgio Furlani, and technical director Geoffrey Moncada in a sweeping restructuring. Milan had led the race for fourth by nine points after a derby win over Inter in March but collapsed in the run-in, collecting just 10 points from their final 10 matches to finish fifth.
- Massimiliano Allegri sacked after Milan miss Champions League.
- Andoni Iraola, Milan's initial target, moves to Liverpool.
- Ruben Amorim holds talks with Milan directors in Lisbon.
- Reports name Amorim as leading candidate.
- AC Milan face Manchester United in pre-season friendly in Wroclaw.
Amorim the frontrunner
Ruben Amorim, the 41‑year‑old Portuguese who has been out of work since his dismissal by Manchester United in January, became the leading candidate shortly after initial target Andoni Iraola joined Liverpool. The Athletic reports that Amorim met with Milan directors in Lisbon last week. While no agreement is in place, multiple sources describe him as the first choice to take over a team that will not compete in the Champions League next season.
A turbulent United chapter
Amorim arrived at Old Trafford in November 2024 on a three‑year deal after winning two Primeira Liga titles with Sporting CP. United paid €11 million for his services, yet the team finished 15th in the Premier League with just 42 points, their worst return of the Premier League era. He was sacked after 14 months, having hinted at tensions with director of football Jason Wilcox over his preferred 3‑4‑3 system.
Sources close to Amorim had recently distanced him from a return to Benfica, the club he made 154 appearances for as a player.I am the manager of this club, not the coach.
Other candidates and Rangnick's exit
Several alternative names remain linked with the post. USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino, Oliver Glasner (who left Crystal Palace after their Conference League win), Al Ahli's Matthias Jaissle, and Stuttgart's Sebastian Hoeness have all been under consideration. Ralf Rangnick, previously mooted for a technical director or head of football role above the prospective coach, has signed a contract extension with Austria through 2028, removing him from the running.
Pre-season reunion
Should Amorim take the job, his first high-profile fixture would be a pre-season friendly against his former club. AC Milan are due to face Manchester United in Wroclaw, Poland on 15 August, one week before the Premier League kicks off.
