Just months after being shown the door at Old Trafford, Ruben Amorim is staring down a stunning return to the touchline — this time in Serie A. According to a report from The Athletic, the former Manchester United head coach has emerged as the frontrunner to take over at AC Milan.
The Rossoneri are deep into a reboot after sacking Massimiliano Allegri and the rest of the executive team following a disastrous campaign that saw the club miss out on Champions League qualification. That failure triggered a full-scale restructuring, and the search for a new manager has reportedly zeroed in on Amorim after the club’s top choice slipped away.
Andoni Iraola, the former Bournemouth manager, was initially at the top of Milan’s list. But Iraola recently accepted the job at Liverpool, leaving Milan to pivot. Talks between the Italian giants and Amorim have already taken place over the last week, per the report.
Why Amorim Could Make Sense — and Why It’s a Gamble
Amorim’s stint at Manchester United was brief and brutal. He arrived in November 2024 carrying the hope of restoring a fallen giant, but his 3-4-3 system quickly became a liability. United finished 15th in the Premier League in 2025, lost the Europa League final to Tottenham, and Amorim was sacked in early January after a 1-1 draw with Leeds United. His win rate of 38.1% is among the worst in the club’s history.
Critics pointed to his refusal to adapt the formation and his puzzling reluctance to consistently start Kobbie Mainoo. Those same questions will follow him to Milan if the deal goes through. But the Rossoneri appear willing to bet that Amorim’s success at Sporting Lisbon — where he won two Primeira Liga titles — is a truer reflection of his ability than his nightmare in Manchester.
A Reunion on the Horizon?
In a twist that feels scripted, Manchester United and AC Milan are scheduled to face off in a preseason friendly on August 15. That would give Amorim an early opportunity to measure himself against the club that fired him — if he’s hired in time. Neither Milan nor Amorim’s camp has confirmed a deal, but the pieces are clearly moving.
Amorim has also been linked with a return to Portugal and SL Benfica, as well as Premier League side Fulham. But Milan’s project — a storied club trying to claw its way back to relevance — might offer the kind of challenge that suits a manager desperate to rebuild his reputation.
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