AC Milan’s Coaching Revolution: The Name Is Rubén Amorim
June 14th could go down as a turning point in AC Milan’s summer. After weeks of speculation and failed negotiations, Milan appear to be on the verge of appointing their new head coach: Portuguese tactician Rubén Amorim, former manager of Sporting CP and Manchester United, is now the frontrunner to take the Rossoneri dugout for the 2025/26 season.
Positive Talks Between Cardinale, Ibrahimović and Amorim’s Agents
According to the latest reports, the past 48 hours have seen productive meetings between Milan’s ownership — with Gerry Cardinale and Zlatan Ibrahimović playing central roles — and the Portuguese coach’s representatives. The talks are said to have produced a solid foundation of agreement, including on the financial side: Amorim has reportedly accepted the contractual terms put forward by the club. At this stage, only Gerry Cardinale’s final approval stands between the Portuguese coach and an official announcement.
It is worth noting that Amorim is currently a free agent following the end of his spell at Manchester United, which gives Milan a significant financial advantage — no compensation will need to be paid to any club.
Amorim’s Profile: Sporting CP Glory and a Difficult United Chapter
Rubén Amorim is a coach who has shown the ability to build something meaningful from the ground up. His standout work came at Sporting CP, where he won two Portuguese league titles, establishing a recognisable, aggressive and direct brand of football. His preferred system is a 3-4-1-2 formation, built around a back three, wide wing-backs and compact midfield lines.
The Manchester United chapter was more difficult: arriving into a club in full-blown crisis, Amorim was unable to turn the tide. No trophies, significant criticism and an early exit defined his time at Old Trafford. However, it is worth noting that many world-class coaches have struggled in that same environment — the context was never in his favour. At Milan, this represents a genuine opportunity for redemption at one of football’s most storied institutions.
Back Three at Milan: What Changes Tactically
Should the deal go through, Milan fans can expect a notable tactical shift. The Rossoneri would return to a back-three system, demanding high organisation and physicality across the squad. Amorim’s football emphasises high pressing, intensity and quick transitions — characteristics that could bring out the best in several players already in the squad.
Amorim would become the third Portuguese manager to take charge of Milan in recent years, following Paulo Fonseca — who led the club during the 2024/25 season — and Sérgio Conceição, who took over in the second half of that same campaign.
Not the First Choice, But a Solid One
It is fair to acknowledge that Amorim was not the first name on Milan’s shortlist. Profiles such as Iraola, Xavi, Pochettino and others were sounded out before him. That said, his track record speaks for itself, and his availability on a free transfer makes him an increasingly attractive option. Ibrahimović, who although not holding an official directorial title acts as Cardinale’s right-hand man on sporting matters, is said to have played a decisive role in steering the club towards this choice.
Milan still have a few weeks before pre-season officially begins: time is on their side, and the direction finally seems clear. Rossoneri supporters can look ahead to this potential appointment with genuine excitement, hoping that this time the final green light will come swiftly.
