Ruben Amorim has admitted his new role as AC Milan head coach is a 'greater challenge' than his spell at Manchester United
Ruben Amorim claimed that the job facing him at AC Milan presents "an bigger challenge than Manchester United", as the 41-year-old prepares for his return to management. Amorim left United in January this year, having spent 14 months at Old Trafford.
United were in sixth place in the Premier League table when Amorim left the club shortly after the turn of the year, and was later replaced by Michael Carrick on an interim basis.
Carrick went on to steer United to third place in the Premier League, qualifying for the Champions League as a result, and was named as the club's manager on a permanent basis towards the end of the campaign.
Amorim put pen to paper on a three-year contract to become Milan's new manager and was named as Massimiliano Allegri's successor last month. He addressed the media on Monday following his arrival at Milan's airport.
Quoted by Italian football website Calciomercato, Amorim told reporters: “I’m really very happy to be here, it’s an honour to be the coach of Milan.
“Why did I choose Milan? If you read an old interview of mine you will understand it, for me a special club.
“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.
“Perhaps it is a greater challenge than the last. I’m proud to be here, we all are, me and my staff.”
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Amorim, dismissed by United in January following a difficult 14-month spell in the dugout, will be accompanied at the San Siro by his backroom staff of Carlos Fernandes, Emanuel Ferro, Adelio Candido and goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital, who were all alongside him during his time at United.
The former Sporting Lisbon boss managed just 25 victories from his 63 matches at the helm of United after taking charge in November 2024 and faced fierce criticism over his tactical approach and disappointing results.
“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.”
AC Milan missed out on Champions League qualification last season following a dismal end to their campaign, finishing fifth in Serie A — a massive 17 points behind champions and city rivals Inter Milan.