Ruben Amorim walked into the San Siro press room on Wednesday with a promise and a confession. The new AC Milan manager apologized for not speaking Italian yet, but he made it clear he knows what the gig requires. “I know the importance of the allenatore of Milan speaking Italian,” he said. “I will be fast.”
Amorim took over for Massimiliano Allegri on a two-year contract last month, becoming the third Portuguese coach in as many years at Milan. But unlike Paulo Fonseca and Sergio Conceicao, whose stays were short and unsatisfying, Amorim arrives with a different kind of pedigree. He won two league titles at Sporting. He also spent a rocky year at Manchester United, a spell he says taught him plenty.
Learning from the United disaster
Amorim didn’t dodge the obvious. When asked about his time at Old Trafford, he admitted mistakes. “I learned a lot and I did some mistakes,” he said. “Sometimes it’s like that. You need to learn, to find the right spot to reach a different level.” He said he regretted not being able to address the Manchester United fans directly after leaving. But he also said the experience left him hungry. “I’m really hungry to have success,” he said. “Maybe because of the last adventure.”
Goncalo Ramos is his guy
Milan just spent big on Goncalo Ramos, and Amorim is thrilled about it. He broke down exactly why the forward fits his system. “I don’t choose a name, I choose a profile,” he said. “We believe a lot in Goncalo Ramos.” Amorim highlighted Ramos’ ability to score against low blocks, his consistency even when coming off the bench, and his work rate as a pressing forward. “If we want to press high, we need a striker who can do that work,” he said. “He’s going to follow the defenders all the time.” It was a clear signal that this Milan team will defend from the front.
Pulisic and the plan for attack
Christian Pulisic got a specific shoutout too. Amorim said he has a clear idea where the American will play. “More times inside, rather than on the line,” he said. “Especially with the right foot on the left side. I think it’s the perfect position for him.” He also said the club will support Pulisic after the criticism he took following the World Cup elimination. “We have a clear plan to use the qualities he has,” Amorim added. “He’s really important for us.”
Modric staying? Not so fast
Amorim made headlines when he talked about keeping Luka Modric. “Modric is a player we want to keep,” he said. “He’s a key point for us, especially in the beginning, to have more possession.” But here’s the thing: Modric is 40 and still under contract with Real Madrid, which hasn’t indicated he’s leaving. The club hasn’t confirmed any deal. So this might be more wishful thinking than a done deal.
Style and substance
On the tactical side, Amorim was direct. “We want to dominate the opponent,” he said. “We want to recover the ball really fast, we want to entertain the fans.” He invoked memories of Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello, crediting Sacchi for introducing high pressing and Capello for building a dominant team. “When you remember Milan, what you remember is the team,” he said. “And that is the most important thing for me.”
He also dismissed comparisons to Jose Mourinho. “I’m completely different from Jose Mourinho,” he said. “I have a different style of playing. I hope to win like he won here in Italy. That’s the only thing I want to be the same.” He laughed when asked about speaking with former Milan managers Fonseca and Conceicao. “I don’t have a relationship with Sergio Conceicao. We were rivals and it was three years ago, so it’s still fresh.”
As for the second star that comes with a 20th Serie A title, Amorim wants it. “We want to win the second star,” he said. “We know how tough it’s going to be. But the main goal is to be dominant in Italy.” He said he’s already convinced himself this was the right move. “After the first meeting I was a Milan coach. They didn’t know it, because we still had to discuss the contract. But in my head after the first meeting I was convinced.”
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