Ruben Amorim Close to AC Milan Appointment After Manchester United Sacking

Ruben Amorim appears set to return to management just months after his departure from Manchester United, with AC Milan reportedly identifying the Portuguese coach as their preferred candidate to lead the club into the 2026-27 season.

Amorim was sacked by United in January 2026 following 14 months at Old Trafford. His dismissal came within hours of a public confrontation with the club’s hierarchy, which followed a 1-1 draw at Leeds. The timing and circumstances of his exit drew significant attention across European football.

According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Amorim is “ready to accept all conditions discussed with AC Milan to become the new manager,” with the 41-year-old understood to be awaiting only a final green light from the Italian club. Multiple sources corroborate that he is now the frontrunner for the position.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Milan have presented Amorim with a two-year contract, inclusive of an option to extend by a further season. The structure of the offer reflects the club’s intention to grant the former Sporting CP manager time to implement his footballing philosophy, rather than demand immediate results.

Milan had previously entered discussions with Oliver Glasner, who led Crystal Palace, and Mauricio Pochettino, currently serving as United States men’s national team head coach. Amorim, however, has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Massimiliano Allegri in the San Siro dugout.

One of the central criticisms of Amorim’s tenure at United was his rigid adherence to a 3-4-3 formation, a system widely regarded as ill-suited to the personnel available to him in the Premier League. United finished the 2025-26 season in poor form, and Amorim was unable to arrest a decline that had set in well before his arrival from Sporting in November 2024.

The move to Milan could represent a more favourable environment for Amorim’s preferred tactical approach. Italian football has historically accommodated back-three systems across multiple clubs, and Serie A’s tactical culture may offer the manager greater flexibility and compatibility than he experienced in England.

AC Milan last won the UEFA Champions League in 2007, when they defeated Liverpool in Athens. The club has undergone significant managerial instability in recent seasons, and the appointment of Amorim — if confirmed — would represent a high-profile attempt to restore the Rossoneri’s standing in European competition.

No official confirmation has been issued by AC Milan at the time of publication. Should the deal be formalised, Amorim would be expected to begin preparations ahead of the 2026-27 Serie A campaign.