AC Milan has appointed Portuguese coach Rúben Amorim as their new head coach, marking his return to top-flight club management five months after his dismissal from Manchester United. The 41-year-old replaces Massimiliano Allegri, who was relieved of his duties last month following AC Milan’s disappointing fifth-place finish in Serie A, which left the club outside of the Champions League qualification spots. The managerial change was part of broader leadership shifts, including the departure of Milan’s CEO and several senior directors.
Amorim was previously dismissed by Manchester United after a 15-month tenure that ended in January. At the time, club financial statements indicated that the Red Devils had allocated approximately £15.9 million to cover severance payments to Amorim and his staff should they not secure new positions within the remaining 18 months of their contracts. However, this financial impact is expected to be partially mitigated by Amorim’s salary at AC Milan.
Widely regarded prior to his tenure in England as one of the most promising emerging coaches in Europe, Amorim’s reputation suffered due to his underwhelming stint at Manchester United. Despite that, Milan confirmed his hiring without disclosing contract details, while reports from Italian media suggested he has agreed to a three-year deal worth around €3.5 million ($4 million) annually, excluding bonuses. The new coach expressed enthusiasm about joining the club, noting that leading AC Milan has long been an ambition throughout his coaching career.
As part of an upcoming fixture, Amorim is expected to face Manchester United with his new team, adding a notable dimension to his early tenure in Serie A.
In related football news, German defender Antonio Rüdiger extended his contract with Real Madrid by one year, choosing to remain with the Spanish club amid competing offers, including those from Saudi Arabian teams. Meanwhile, French club Lens appointed Dino Toppmöller as head coach following the departure of Pierre Sage to Crystal Palace. Additionally, Caroline Weir, a goal-scoring midfielder, signed a three-year contract with French champions OL Lyonnes, transferring from Real Madrid.