AC Milan have suddenly stepped up their search for a new head coach. Until a few days ago, it was thought that the leading candidate was Oliver Glasner, but in recent hours Ruben Amorim, formerly of Sporting Lisbon and Manchester United, has emerged strongly as a contender. Initially reluctant about the prospect of taking charge of the Rossoneri, the Portuguese coach has since begun to seriously consider it, to the point that people very close to him reportedly describe him as “highly motivated” by the idea of relaunching his career at a historic club such as Milan.
The difference compared with the other candidates in the search for a new manager is that, during recent talks, Milan are said to have reached a preliminary agreement with Ruben Amorim: a two-year contract with an option for a third year, worth around €3 million per season. The decision appears to have been made, also because colleagues at La Gazzetta dello Sport report that Cardinale is particularly attracted by the Portuguese coach’s footballing philosophy, believing that he could usher in a new era built around modern, attacking football that is dynamic and youthful in its approach. There is also another factor that puts Amorim ahead of the other candidates: finances. While Glasner is losing ground in the ownership’s preferences, Jaissle is gaining support, but releasing the young German coach from Al-Ahli would require paying a significant release clause, driving costs much higher than those involved in bringing the former United manager to Milan.
Ruben Amorim’s stock has risen in recent hours because Markus Krösche, the leading candidate for the role of Milan technical director, is not believed to have objected to the Portuguese coach’s candidacy. In fact, the current Eintracht sporting director would reportedly even prefer the former United manager to Glasner, with whom he had some disagreements during their time in Frankfurt due to differing views on transfer policy, despite winning the Europa League together.
Krösche’s potential arrival also strengthens the candidacy of Timmo Hardung for the sporting director position, alongside the ever-present name of Devin Ozek.
