Former Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has emerged as the leading candidate to manage AC Milan following a series of productive meetings in Portugal last week. The 41-year-old tactician reportedly met with AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale, who is personally leading the search for a manager capable of implementing a younger, more expansive tactical vision at the San Siro.
The Italian giants are moving to fill the vacancy left by the departure of Massimiliano Allegri, who was sacked after a poor end to the Serie A season. AC Milan finished fifth with 70 points from 38 matches, trailing rivals Inter Milan by 17 points and failing to secure Champions League qualification.
This decline led to a total overhaul of the sporting department, with the club also parting ways with Sporting director Igli Tare, chief executive Giorgio Furlani, and technical director Geoffrey Moncada.
Ownership at the San Siro has reportedly put a provisional two-year contract on the table for Ruben Amorim, which includes an option for a third season. The move signals a shift in philosophy as the club seeks a coach aligned with Cardinale’s long-term footballing vision. Despite a difficult tenure in England, com/manchester-united-100m-transfer-agreement-analysis-2026″>Manchester United’s recent squad changes highlight the volatile nature of the league Amorim left behind on January 5, 2026.
Cardinale identifies Ruben Amorim as the primary managerial target
Ruben Amorim has been out of work since his dismissal from Old Trafford earlier this year. His 14-month spell with Manchester United saw the club finish 15th in the 2024-25 Premier League season—their worst of the Premier League era. However, the Milan hierarchy remains focused on the tactical reputation he built at Sporting CP, where his innovative systems garnered widespread admiration across Europe.
The pursuit of the Portuguese coach follows a period of rapid changes in the European coaching market. AC Milan had initially intended to hire Andoni Iraola, but he instead took over at Liverpool following the unexpected sacking of Arne Slot. While Salah faces a career-defining choice at Anfield under new leadership, Milan has been forced to pivot their search toward other high-profile candidates.
Gerry Cardinale’s preference for Ruben Amorim has caused other contenders to lose ground. Oliver Glasner, who recently left Crystal Palace after winning the Conference League, was previously considered the frontrunner and even had a provisional two-year offer. Reports now suggest Glasner is slipping in the preference rankings as the board focuses on Amorim’s specific “expansive” tactical profile during their formal interview process.
Alternative candidates and the technical director search
While Ruben Amorim is the clear favorite, several other names have been linked to the vacancy. Matthias Jaissle, currently managing Al-Ahli, represents a complicated financial alternative due to a €6 million buyout clause in Saudi Arabia. Other figures mentioned in early discussions included Alvaro Arbeloa, lately of Real Madrid, and United States national team manager Mauricio Pochettino, though neither has progressed to advanced talks.
The front-office restructuring also remains a priority for the Rossoneri. Ralf Rangnick, who was considered for the manager’s role early in the process, is now officially out of the running for that position after committing his future to the Austria national football team until 2028.
However, he remains the sole candidate to become Milan’s new technical director, though he has laid down strict conditions regarding absolute control over the technical sector.
Timing is becoming crucial as the club prepares for its pre-season schedule, including a friendly against Manchester United on August 15 in WrocĹ‚aw, Poland. Fan frustration is also mounting; recent protests in London featured banners reading “Free our Milan” between the London Eye and Big Ben.
Supporters are demanding that the current ownership release the club as they prepare for a season in the Europa League.
Tactical vision and the road to Serie A recovery
The decision to target Ruben Amorim reflects a desire for a complete departure from the pragmatism of the Allegri era. The AC Milan board believes Amorim’s tactical flexibility—which famously rejuvenated Sporting CP—is the right fit for the existing squad. The 17-point gap to Inter Milan last season served as a stark reminder that a structural change was necessary to compete for the Scudetto.
Should the deal be finalized, Amorim will inherit a team that needs immediate reshaping for domestic and European competition. The 2026-27 campaign is being framed by Gerry Cardinale as a critical reset point for the historic institution. By offering a multi-year deal, the ownership is betting that Amorim’s Portuguese success is a truer reflection of his coaching ability than his 15th-place finish in England.
The coming weeks will determine if Amorim accepts the provisional terms. If the 41-year-old takes the job, he will likely demand immediate influence over transfer activity before pre-season training begins. For a coach whose reputation was tested in the Premier League, the San Siro offers a grand stage to re-establish himself among the European coaching elite.
