Ruben Amorim Takes Helm at AC Milan, Aiming to Reverse Recent Trends

AC Milan’s 2026 preseason officially commenced on Monday at Milanello, marking the beginning of the Ruben Amorim era. The Portuguese coach steps into the role with the immediate task of reversing a worrying trend of underperformance that has plagued the Rossoneri for the past two seasons.

The alarm clock reportedly went off early at Milanello, with Amorim himself having spent time at the facility recently, possibly to acclimatize to his new surroundings. Today, however, signifies the formal start of the season for his Milan side, with the weight of expectation already palpable.

Por que importa

Owner Gerry Cardinale is set to be a prominent figure during the initial stages of the preseason, attending the team gathering. This marks his most visible involvement with the squad in recent times, underscoring a strong backing for the new coach. Amorim has already articulated his vision during his introductory press conference, and now the focus shifts to implementing these plans on the field.

Cardinale’s commitment extends beyond mere presence; he accompanied Amorim to meet the press and visited Milanello alongside him. This close rapport between the owner and the coach signals a new beginning for the club, with results ultimately determining the success of this new chapter.

Amorim arrives at Milan with a desire for redemption following a challenging spell at Manchester United. He joined the English club in November 2024, lauded as one of Europe’s most promising coaches due to his success in his native Portugal. However, his tenure at Old Trafford proved difficult, culminating in a 15th-place Premier League finish and a Europa League final loss to Tottenham in his first season, followed by his dismissal in January while the team sat fifth in the table. “I learned from my mistakes,” Amorim stated during his press conference, indicating a resolve to apply those lessons at Milan.

The new AC Milan coach faces a significant hurdle in the form of Italy’s historical difficulty for foreign managers. Since José Mourinho’s Scudetto wins with Inter Milan in 2008-09 and 2009-10, few foreign coaches have achieved similar league success. Mourinho inherited a winning team and led them to a historic treble. Amorim, conversely, takes over a Milan side that has fallen short of expectations for two consecutive years, tasked with restoring them to their former glory.

His stated intention is to implement “attacking and dominant football,” a phrase that bears an uncanny resemblance to the initial declarations of Paulo Fonseca two years prior. Amorim becomes the third Portuguese coach in Milan’s recent history, following Fonseca and Sergio Conceiçao, neither of whom achieved significant success.

A key difference for Amorim is the heightened involvement of Gerry Cardinale. The owner’s personal investment and visible support could prove crucial for the new manager. Milan’s history also offers examples of foreign coaches who have succeeded. Herbert Kilpin, the English founder and coach, led the club to their first two league titles in 1901 and 1906. Lajos Czeizler, a Hungarian, ended a 44-year drought by bringing Milan back to the top of Italy in 1951. Swedish coach Nils Liedholm was also successful in 1979. Amorim will be hoping to add his name to this list, potentially by helping Milan secure a second star on their crest, a goal he ambitiously outlined in his early statements for the Rossoneri.

Key facts
| Information | Details |
|—|—|
| New AC Milan Coach | Ruben Amorim |
| Previous Club | Manchester United |
| Owner’s Involvement | Gerry Cardinale actively supporting Amorim |
| Historical Trend | Difficulties for foreign coaches in Serie A |
| Amorim’s Stated Style | Attacking and dominant football |

Amorim’s task is clear: to leverage his experience and the owner’s backing to overcome historical challenges and elevate AC Milan back to the pinnacle of Italian and European football.

Source: Sempremilan RSS – https://sempremilan.com/amorim-era-reverse-worrying-trend-milan

Datos clave