Amorim says Milan job is ‘bigger challenge’ than his Man Utd spell

Ruben Amorim has declared that his new job at AC Milan represents a bigger test than the one he faced at Manchester United, speaking for the first time since arriving in Italy as the club’s new head coach.

The 41-year-old left Old Trafford in January after 14 turbulent months in charge, and was unveiled last month as Massimiliano Allegri’s successor at San Siro on a three-year deal.

Speaking to reporters after landing in Milan, Amorim was quoted by Italian outlet Calciomercato as saying his decision to take the role stemmed from a long-held admiration for the club.

“I’m really very happy to be here, it’s an honour to be the coach of Milan,” he said. “Why did I choose Milan? If you read an old interview of mine you will understand it, for me a special club.”

A ‘greater challenge’ than United

Amorim admitted he had initially planned to take on a less demanding role following his difficult spell in England, only to be drawn back into a fight at the top of Serie A.

“It’s a very big challenge that I accepted even if after the last one (at Manchester United) I told myself to accept a smaller one,” he explained. “Perhaps it is a greater challenge than the last. I’m proud to be here, we all are, me and my staff.”

Amorim’s exit from United came shortly after the turn of the year, with the club sitting sixth in the Premier League table at the time. He won just 25 of his 63 matches in the dugout, having taken over in November 2024, and was heavily criticised over his tactical approach and results.

Michael Carrick took the reins on an interim basis and guided United to a third-place finish and Champions League qualification, before being confirmed as permanent manager towards the end of the season.

Backroom staff make the move

Amorim has taken his trusted backroom team with him to San Siro, with Carlos Fernandes, Emanuel Ferro, Adelio Candido and goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital all following him from Old Trafford to Milan.

The former Sporting Lisbon boss insisted he is under no illusions about the scale of the task in front of him after Milan’s disappointing end to last season.

“I’m at Milan to win, if you’re Milan coach you have to have this mentality,” Amorim added. “I’m not naive, I know there’s a lot of work to do, but if you’re the Milan coach you have to play to win.”

Milan missed out on Champions League qualification altogether last term, finishing fifth in Serie A, some 17 points behind city rivals and champions Inter Milan. Amorim will now be tasked with closing that gap and restoring the club to Europe’s top table.