Amorim rates Milan challenge as bigger than United
Ruben Amorim says it is an honour to be AC Milan's new head coach, while acknowledging the challenge with the Serie A giant is much bigger than the one he faced at Manchester United.
Amorim was appointed as Massimiliano Allegri's successor in June, just six months after he was sacked by United after a turbulent tenure both on and off the pitch.
The 41-year-old oversaw 63 games with the Red Devils across all competitions, winning 24, drawing 18 and losing 21 before he was relieved of his duties.
He only achieved 15 victories in 47 Premier League matches at the helm, giving him the worst win ratio (32 per cent) of any United boss in the competition.
Amorim was also in charge for the final six months of United's worst Premier League campaign in 2024-2025, as it recorded its lowest finish (15th), posted its worst points tally (42) and scored its fewest goals (44) in any season in the competition.
But he arrives at a Milan side that finished outside the top four in Serie A for the second campaign in a row in 2025-2026, thus missing out on a spot in the UEFA Champions League.
The Portuguese landed in Italy on Tuesday (AEST) ahead of beginning his stint with the Rossoneri, and he is aiming to get Milan challenging for silverware this season.
"I'm really very happy to be here, it's an honour to be Milan's coach," Amorim said.
"It's a big challenge. After the last one, I'd promised myself to choose a smaller challenge, but I'm here and it's an even bigger challenge.
"I'm really proud to be here, I just want to work with my players and my staff, and I'm truly happy to be here.
"In Milan to win? Of course. If you want to be Milan's coach, you have to play for that."
Milan had been in the driving seat for a place in the UEFA Champions League after a strong first half of the season, where it went on a 24-match unbeaten league run after an opening-day defeat to newly-promoted Cremonese.
However, it faltered in the closing stages, winning only five of its final 13 matches and losing seven, finishing one point behind Cesc Fabregas's Como in fifth.
Milan has already gone about changing its fortunes for the upcoming campaign by completing the club-record signing of Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos.
Ramos put pen to paper on a five-year deal for a reported €80 million ($131.5 million) transfer fee, after scoring 45 goals in 131 appearances in all competitions for PSG.
It looks set to be a busy summer for Milan with Rafael Leao seeking a move away, openly saying he would be keen to explore a transfer to the Premier League or LaLiga.
The likes of Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have all been credited with an interest, while a move to the Saudi Pro League has not been completely ruled out.
