AC Milan: Ruben Amorim is the new coach, deal with Oliver Glasner has fallen through

Ruben Amorim, 41, has an important track record in Portuguese and European football. Before moving to the Premier League, he managed Casa Pia AC, Sporting Lisbon and SC Braga, clubs with which he established himself as one of the most promising coaches of his generation. His experience at Sporting Lisbon, in particular, cemented his reputation on the international stage, eventually leading him to the Manchester United bench, a club he reportedly left in January.

Ruben Amorim's profile

The move to Manchester United and his departure from the Red Devils represented a delicate chapter in his career. After his experience in England, Amorim was looking for a new challenge in a high-profile league, and the call from AC Milan fits perfectly into that perspective. The Rossoneri club, meanwhile, is expected to officially unveil the new coach in the coming days.

However, the path that had seemed all but mapped out was a different one. For weeks, the name of Oliver Glasner had been insistently linked to the club on Via Aldo Rossi. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported last week the rumor of an imminent transfer for the Austrian, a native of Riedau, to the Naviglio area. Talks between the parties had reached a very advanced stage, so much so that many observers took a positive outcome for granted.

The Glasner track cools down

The negotiations, however, did not end positively. The reasons for the failed agreement have not been disclosed in detail, but the sudden braking caught the Rossoneri environment and the fans by surprise, as they had already prepared for the arrival of the Austrian coach. The very article that had fueled expectations then recorded the change of scenario, with a clear judgment: "Es ist gut so, dass die Verhandlungen zwischen dem AC Milan und Oliver Glasner nicht zu einem positiven Ende geführt haben".

The turn toward Amorim was therefore swift. The club's management, which is tied to the American ownership, decided to accelerate contacts with the Portuguese coach's entourage and close quickly, taking advantage of the willingness shown by the former Sporting manager. Romano, for his part, confirmed that Milan and Amorim have reached an understanding, describing the negotiation as substantially defined in its main elements.

On the technical front, the choice of Amorim outlines a clear project. The Portuguese is known for his proactive style of play, for his ability to work with young players and for a clear tactical identity — elements that convinced the ownership to shift away from the Glasner track. The Rossoneri challenge represents a fascinating test for a coach coming off a complicated spell in England and eager to relaunch himself in a competitive league like Serie A.

Next objective: the technical director

The arrival of the coach is only the first piece of a broader plan to reorganize the technical area. La Gazzetta dello Sport, analyzing the situation, stressed that the next step will be the appointment of the technical director. "Nachdem die Trainerfrage geklärt ist, dürfte der nächste Puzzlestein der Technische Direktor sein, wobei Markus Krösche klar im Vorteil ist", the daily writes, pointing to the German executive as the favorite for the role.

Markus Krösche is currently sportvorstand of Eintracht Frankfurt, a club with which he has a contract until 2028. His profile, highly regarded in European football, would mesh with the philosophy of the new American ownership, which aims to build a solid managerial structure with a medium- to long-term outlook. Krösche's potential arrival at the Rossoneri would send a clear signal about the club's ambitions.

The picture taking shape, therefore, conveys the image of a club in full transition, determined to invest in high-profile figures to relaunch an ambitious project. After parting ways with Oliver Glasner, the club managed to close quickly with Amorim, avoiding a technical void that would have complicated next season's planning.

The challenges for the new coach

For Milan, the priority now is to officially announce the new coach, define his staff and plan the summer retreat. The presentation is expected to take place in the coming days, on a timeline compatible with the start of pre-season preparations. The fanbase, meanwhile, is watching developments closely, noting the change of course from what had seemed like a path already defined.

The Austrian Oliver Glasner, for his part, remains free to evaluate other opportunities after the failed move to Milan. The coach from Riedau, who had built an important reputation with Crystal Palace and previously with Eintracht Frankfurt, has several options on the table. His long-term stay at the London club had already seemed to have reached its end, and Milan would have represented an ambitious destination.

International press has also begun picking up the story, confirming the contours of an operation that will bring one of the most talked-about coaches of the moment to the San Siro bench. The fact that the negotiation was conducted swiftly, after the Glasner halt, suggests the club already had a high-level plan B ready.

Prospects and ambitions of the club

For Amorim, the Rossoneri adventure promises to be packed with challenges. Milan is coming off inconsistent seasons, and the fanbase expects a leap in quality, both in the league and in European competitions. The former Sporting and Manchester United coach will have to deal with the pressure of a demanding fanbase, but he will have a quality squad at his disposal and, looking ahead, also a managerial reshuffle with the possible arrival of Krösche.

Ultimately, Milan's decision outlines a significant shift in strategy. Where a marriage with Glasner had seemed to be taking shape, the opportunity emerged to entrust the bench to a young, international profile with experience on the biggest stages. The club hopes that this gamble, combined with a strengthening of the technical area, can restore stability and ambition to one of the most prestigious clubs in Italian football.