Ruben Amorim is close to returning as AC Milan manager – a move that could see him set to play for his former club Manchester United in pre-season this summer
Ruben Amorim set to take AC Milan job (Image: Getty Images)
Ruben Amorim is set to face Manchester United this summer after the Portuguese manager agreed a deal to become AC Milan’s new manager.
Amorim has been out of work since taking over at Old Trafford in January, but is now set to take up the top job at the San Siro. Milan finished fifth in Serie A, missed out on the Champions League, and ultimately cost Max Allegri his job.
The club then went to the market and considered replacing now-retired Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, but ultimately chose to pursue Amorim. This move will likely put him at odds with his former team. Milan are scheduled to finish pre-season against United in Wrocław on August 15th.
Amorim was replaced by Michael Carrick in the new year, but his former club enjoyed a sensational run of form and a change of direction from the tactics he employed saw the Red Devils move up to third in the table.
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Mr Amorim was fired after just 14 months and was entitled to significant compensation. He, along with his coaching staff, was set to cost the Premier League up to £15.9 million. However, according to Italian reports, Amorim said he would forgo his unpaid annual salary in preparation for returning to management.
If the move to Italy is confirmed as expected, Amorim’s first game as manager will be a pre-season match against Celtic on July 25th. This could give the Portuguese manager a chance to once again showcase the qualities that once made him one of Europe’s most popular managers.
Michael Carrick will face the man he replaced in pre-season (Image: Getty Images)
His time with Sporting Lisbon cemented his name. He broke Porto Benfica’s dominance and ended the club’s 19-year wait for a league title in 2021. They won the league title again in 2024 and also won the Portuguese Cup twice. All this led United to hire him to replace Erik ten Hag.
Last month, when it emerged that Jose Mourinho was close to moving to Real Madrid, Amorim kept the vacant position at his former club Benfica away from him. At Milan, Amorim will manage England players Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic.
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