michael carrick AC Milan appointed Ruben Amorim as head coach on a two-year contract, ending its search after Massimiliano Allegri was sacked following the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League. The move also puts a possible dent in Manchester United’s financial liability from Amorim’s January dismissal.
Amorim and AC Milan
Amorim is 41 and steps into the role after leaving Manchester United in January, 14 months after arriving at Old Trafford. He replaced Erik ten Hag there in November 2024, but his spell ended with 24 wins and 21 losses from 63 matches.
After being appointed, Amorim said: “There are ambitions that stay with you throughout your career, and coaching AC Milan has always been one of mine,”. He also said: “I know exactly what this club means: history, prestige and an extraordinary fanbase around the world. It is a challenge I embrace with pride and enthusiasm.”
United finances
Manchester United said in February that Amorim’s exit, together with his coaching staff, could cost the club up to £15.9m. Reports in Italy claim he will forgo the year’s pay he was still owed by United after his dismissal, which points to a lower final bill than the club first set out.
That saving may not show up immediately. United’s next set of financial results are due in the autumn, and it is not known whether the club will have to outline the saving in that set of accounts.
Celtic and Wroclaw
Amorim’s first game in charge of AC Milan will be a pre-season match at Celtic on 25 July. Milan then finish pre-season against Manchester United in Wroclaw on 15 August, a quick reunion with the club that cut short his stay at Old Trafford.
The appointment closes Milan’s managerial search and gives Amorim a direct return to elite European club football after a short, costly split with United. It also leaves United facing a cleaner accounting line if the reported pay waiver holds through to their autumn results.
