​Former Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim spoke with renewed optimism as he took on the AC Milan hot-seat, delivering his first press conference on Wednesday. He opened up about the missteps from his time at United, while expressing his enthusiasm for Milan’s atmosphere and ambition, praising the club’s history as seven-time European champions.
“It already feels like home,” the Portuguese manager said. “From our very first conversation, I sensed this was the right place for me in terms of values. I believe in the project.” He added that learning Italian would be a priority and that he would begin studying the language as soon as possible, out of respect for the Milan fans.
Reflecting on his past in Manchester, Amorim said the mistakes he made there had helped him grow as a coach. He also highlighted his optimism about Milan’s recruitment strategy and the plans for the next season, including the ongoing discussions about player additions and retention.
The 41-year-old praised the club’s recent transfer activity, particularly the acquisition of Goncalo Ramos from Paris Saint-Germain. He described Ramos as a top-class striker whose World Cup goal showcased his qualities and explained that the 25-year-old Portuguese forward fits the team’s envisioned style and aspirations perfectly.
As for another pivotal figure, Amorim emphasized his desire for Luka Modric to remain at the club. He revealed that he had already spoken with the Croatian veteran and confirmed that Modric would continue to be a central reference point for Milan, anticipating his return after the post-World Cup break.
“We’re working to bring in the best players to strengthen the team. Ramos is exactly the type of player we want to build around,” Amorim stated, underscoring the forward’s potential impact. “We want Modric to stay. He is a key reference point for me, and I expect him to be back with us after his break.”
RedBird Capital Partners’ managing partner Gerry Cardinale, whose firm owns Milan, framed Amorim’s appointment as the beginning of a fresh chapter for the club. He described this era as a decisive move to restore AC Milan to the upper echelons of European football. “This is the beginning of a new chapter. We are delighted to have Ruben Amorim as our head coach,” Cardinale stated. “We have to take AC Milan back to where it belongs.”
Amorim’s arrival signals an intent to rebuild a squad capable of competing at the highest level in Europe, with a clear emphasis on integrating talented young players like Ramos while maintaining the influence of experienced veterans such as Modric. The emphasis on growth, language and culture, and a renewed sense of purpose reflects Milan’s strategy to re-establish themselves among Europe’s elite after narrowly missing qualification for the continent’s premier competition on the final day of the previous season. As the club embarks on this new chapter, all eyes will be on how Amorim translates his lessons from United into a successful Milan project, and how quickly the squad can adapt to his blueprint, both on and off the pitch.