​Ruben Amorim has publicly apologized to Manchester United fans for not bidding them farewell six months after his departure from the club. The Portuguese manager left Old Trafford in January following an 18-month tenure that had failed to meet expectations. Since his exit, the 41-year-old Amorim had remained without a job until he accepted a role with Italian giants AC Milan. He was officially presented by his new club on Wednesday and used his first remarks to reflect on his time with the Red Devils, expressing regret about how his exit unfolded.
In comments cited by The Mirror, Amorim said: “The only thing I can say is that I learned a lot and I made some mistakes. I didn’t have the opportunity—and I am sorry for that—to say something to the Manchester United fans at that moment. I am really proud to have been their coach for a year.” He went on to discuss his new position at AC Milan, describing the move as an honor and expressing happiness at the club and its environment. “It’s an honor to be here [at AC Milan]. I’m so happy. I can feel that here people feel the club. I love Milanello; I think the place has history, it’s quiet. People say that it is old. I love that kind of old, everything is there. I love the staff. I feel at home. I follow Milan since I’m young, so it’s personal. It’s hard to take this kind of challenge. The belief that I had at Sporting, is the same belief I have now—with a little bit more hunger.”
Amorim further conveyed his enthusiasm for the project at Milan, noting his readiness to embrace the challenges of Italian football. He admitted to a sense of hunger for success and emphasized his belief in both himself and the club. “I know it’s a tough league; you need to know Italian football really well. I think I learn fast and I will try to do that.” He also hinted that the move to Milan represents a test even greater than his previous role in Manchester, stating that the challenge excites him and that he feels a strong sense of belonging at Milan.
The new coach’s remarks have not been limited to his immediate experiences with Milan. In a prior interview with Calciomercato, Amorim hinted that his current position in Milan presents an even more demanding challenge than the one he faced in Manchester. He explained that his decision to join Milan was driven by a long-standing affection for the club. “I’m really very happy to be here, it’s an honor 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,” he said. He added that the role is a major challenge that he accepted, even if, following his Manchester United tenure, he contemplated taking on a smaller project. “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.” He concluded by saying that this challenge could be greater than the previous one, and that he, along with his staff, is proud to be part of Milan.
Amorim’s ongoing commentary and candid reflections on his departure from Manchester United have kept him in the public eye since making the move to Italy. He has used these opportunities to articulate a sense of growth and renewed ambition, highlighting the lessons learned from his time at United and the motivation he now derives from leading Milan. As he settles into life at one of football’s historic clubs, Amorim has underscored his commitment to mastering Italian football quickly and leveraging the experience to drive success for Milan in a highly competitive league. The combination of his stated humility about past missteps and his expressed hunger for future achievements will likely shape how fans and analysts view his trajectory as a coach in the seasons ahead.