AC Milan is closing in on a new head coach, and the name at the top of the list might surprise you. According to multiple reports, former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is set to replace Massimiliano Allegri at the San Siro. The Portuguese tactician, who spent just over a year at Old Trafford, is reportedly signing a two-year deal with an option for a third, paying him between €3.5 million and €4 million per season.
On paper, it feels like Milan is betting on a rebound. Amorim arrived at Manchester United with a strong reputation from his work at Sporting CP, where he won two Primeira Liga titles and developed stars like Pedro Gonçalves and Gonçalo Inácio. But his time in the Premier League was rocky — a mix of injuries, tactical growing pains, and the weight of a club in flux. Now he gets a fresh start in Serie A, where the pressure is high but the expectations are different.
The Rangnick ripple effect
The club had initially pursued Ralf Rangnick for a technical director role, but those talks fell apart before the 2026 World Cup. Rangnick wanted assurances Milan couldn’t offer, so he chose to extend with the Austrian national team instead. That decision sent the dominoes tumbling. Without Rangnick, the reported plan to bring in Crystal Palace coach Oliver Glasner — a coach familiar with Rangnick’s methods from their Red Bull days — also collapsed.
So Milan pivoted. Hard.
Other names in the mix
Before Amorim emerged as the frontrunner, the Rossoneri were linked with a wide range of candidates. USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino was reportedly in the conversation, though his commitment through the 2026 World Cup made a summer move complicated. Al-Ahli’s Matthias Jaissle and recently fired Liverpool manager Arne Slot were also mentioned. None of those names gained the traction Amorim has in the last week.
The club has not confirmed any deal, but the momentum is clear. Alongside Amorim, Milan is also reportedly close to hiring Eintracht Frankfurt duo Markus Krösche and Timmo Hardung as technical and sporting directors — a move that would give the new coach a front office with a modern, data-driven philosophy.
What does this mean for Milan?
Amorim inherits a team with talent — Rafael Leão, Theo Hernández, and a solid midfield core — but one that needs direction. Allegri’s second stint was pragmatic but uninspiring. The fanbase wants attacking football, identity, and a clear plan. Amorim’s teams at Sporting pressed high, moved the ball quickly, and trusted young players. If he can bring that to Milan, this could click. If not, it’s another short managerial reign in a city that doesn’t tolerate patience.
Fans online are split. Some see a coach who failed in England getting a second chance. Others point to his record before Manchester and argue Serie A is a better fit for his tactical style. The poll below asks the question: Who would have been Milan’s best option? Vote and drop your thoughts in the comments.
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