Ruben Amorim has emerged as the favourite for the AC Milan job nearly six months after he was sacked by Premier League side Manchester United.
Amorim took charge of United in November 2024 and finished in the 15th spot while taking them to a Europa League final. They suffered a loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the game as Amorim struggled to win over skeptics. It appeared that despite his best efforts and ideas to implement a set philosphy at the club, the player and the fans never brought into what he was trying to do.
The Red Devils lacked a distint style of play as his reputation after arriving from Sporting Lisbon took a hit. Now, the Rossoneri are eyeing the Portuguese coach after a disappointing season.
Milan started the campaign with Seria A winning coach Massimiliano Allegri in the dugout. Despite early season promise and a run of results that put them in place for Scudetto challenge, their form faded in the final stretch of the season. A Coppa Italia last 16 exit didn’t help matters as Allegri failed to turn things around.
Eventually, a final day defeat to Cagliari coupled with Como’s 4-1 thrashing of Cremonese, condemned them to a fifth place finish and Europa League football. Club owners RedBird Capital responded with sacking Allegri and also removing chief executive officer Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare, and technical director Geoffrey Moncada in a major clear out.
Now, reports have suggested that Amorim is the person the club’s hierarchy is looking it in order to restore them back to the top of Italian football.
Ruben Amorim’s stock remains high despite Manchester United struggles
Ruben Amorim arrived at Old Trafford with a burgeoning reputation as one of the world’s finest young coaches. After leading Sporting Braga to Taça da Liga in 2020, he was announced as Sporting Lisbon’s manager in March 2020.
A fourth-place finish toward the end of the season saw him restore some hope to a club that was struggling with an identity and unity between fans and players. His first full season in charge saw Sporting play an attractive brand of football as they won the Taça da Liga and then clinched a first league title in nearly two decades.
A second League Cup success followed but they finished six points behind league winners Porto. A difficult campaign followed with a League Cup final defeat and a disappointing fourth place finish in the league.
However, Amorim bounced back in the 2023/24 season and delivered a second Primeira Liga title. His started the defense of the title strongly with a club-record 11 wins in a row in the league. It has at this time that Manchester United came calling and the 41-year-old packed his bags for Old Trafford.
While his stint in charge of the 20-time English league champions was largely forgetful, it appears his stock remains high. His playing style is suited to adapt to the demands on modern football and his ability to improve players and promote young talent make him an attractive proposition.
If Amorim is apppointed AC Milan manager, the Rossoneri faithful will hope he can banish the ghosts of United and rebuild his and the Italian club’s reputation.
READ NEXT: Jose Mourinho returns to Real Madrid as head coach
About The Author
