Ruben Amorim has been officially announced as the new manager of AC Milan, with the Portuguese tactician already initiating contact with players to outline his project for the club. The appointment comes as Milan seek stability following a period of uncertainty and the departure of key figures within the club’s leadership.
Amorim’s previous spell at Manchester United was not without its challenges, with results failing to meet expectations, but he retains a strong reputation from his earlier success at Sporting Lisbon. Currently, the Milan squad lacks clear leadership following the exits of figures like Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara, and Amorim is seen as a crucial figure in bridging that gap. While Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains a potential influence, his commitments to Fox Sports as a World Cup commentator limit his availability to directly engage with the team.
According to reports, Amorim will arrive in Milan once the club’s new directors are confirmed to assess the club’s facilities. He is already holding calls with existing staff at Casa Milan to begin preparations. A key aspect of his early work will involve speaking with each player individually to present his vision and gauge their commitment to the club.
Several players are expected to depart Milan this summer, including Rafael Leao, who has publicly expressed a desire to explore new opportunities. Amorim is not expected to actively attempt to convince Leao to stay, as the player’s profile may not align with the manager’s tactical preferences. However, he will focus on retaining other key players who are undecided about their futures, such as Luka Modric.
Modric, linked with a move to Napoli to reunite with former manager Maurizio Sarri, was reportedly disappointed to miss out on Champions League qualification with Real Madrid. Amorim will also assess the situations of players like Sandro Tonali, Mike Maignan, and Filip Pavlovic. Tonali arrived at the club under Sarri and may follow him to Napoli, while Maignan, despite recently renewing his contract, is reportedly keen to play Champions League football. Pavlovic is also attracting interest from other clubs, and Milan may consider a sale to raise funds for further recruitment. The club will need to make substantial additions to the squad regardless.
Amorim’s ability to convince these players to remain will be critical to shaping the team’s future. His arrival represents a significant shift in direction for Milan as they aim to rebuild and compete at the highest level.
