​Ruben Amorim has candidly admitted that his tenure as Manchester United manager included a series of mistakes, framing that challenging period as a crucial learning phase in his coaching career. Speaking at his first press conference as AC Milan’s head coach, the Portuguese coach reflected on the 14-month spell in the Premier League, which ultimately ended with his dismissal in January. He acknowledged the difficulty of fully explaining every error, noting that to do so would require recounting the entire context of that “last adventure.” Yet, he pointed to the overarching takeaway: he learned a great deal and recognized mistakes he made along the way.
Amorim also expressed regret over not having the chance to address Manchester United’s supporters directly. He said he would have liked the opportunity to speak to the Old Trafford faithful, expressing pride in having served as their coach for a year and acknowledging the special connection with the club’s fans during that period.
The 41-year-old boss took charge of United in November 2024 following Erik ten Hag’s departure. Despite initial optimism, he struggled to reverse the club’s fortunes, guiding them to a 15th-place finish in the Premier League and a loss to Tottenham in the Europa League final. Although the team had been positioned in sixth place at the time of his dismissal, Amorim faced criticism for his 3-4-3 system and for not integrating academy players more comprehensively into the first team.
“Now it’s a different story,” he reflected. “There are many things I could have done better during the last experience, but sometimes that’s how it is. You must learn to find the right moment to reach a different level, and that’s my aim here.” His tenure at United produced a record of 25 wins in 63 matches, with 23 defeats. In the Premier League, he managed 47 games, securing just 15 victories and averaging 1.23 points per game—the lowest figure of any United manager in the Premier League era.
Amorim underscored the universal nature of learning from experience, reiterating that he had learned a lot and made mistakes but believed certain aspects of his approach would remain constant. He indicated that he would strive to implement changes where needed while maintaining core principles that he views as enduring. “There are some things I will try to change, and there are some things you never change. But I think I will be a better coach,” he asserted on that Wednesday.
Looking ahead, Amorim has signed a three-year contract with AC Milan, taking over from Massimiliano Allegri. The move signals a new chapter in his managerial career, with Milan aiming to leverage his developing philosophy and leadership to drive success at a club with a rich history and high expectations. This transition comes as Amorim continues to refine his managerial identity, building on experiences gained in England to inform his tactics, player development, and club-wide leadership at Milan.