Ruben Amorim Apologizes to Manchester United Fans After Departure and Joins AC Milan

Ruben Amorim has expressed regret for not addressing Manchester United's fans following his departure in January but stated pride in his time at the club. The Portuguese manager has now signed a three-year contract with AC Milan, ending his break from football and beginning a new chapter in Serie A.

The Apology and Admission of Errors

During his unveiling as AC Milan head coach, Amorim acknowledged mistakes during his 14 months at Old Trafford but declined to provide specific details about what went wrong. He emphasized that understanding the errors would require explaining the full context of his experience at Manchester United. The 41-year-old stated he learned significantly from the experience and hopes to reach a higher level with his new club.

Amorim's approach to his departure drew attention because he had refrained from making public statements or social media posts about his time at United. In his first public remarks since the dismissal, he directed an apology specifically to the club's supporters, saying he regretted not having the opportunity to acknowledge them directly at that time.

AC Milan Appointment and Ambitious Plans

The newly appointed Milan coach arrived at the club's private terminal on Wednesday afternoon and immediately signaled his ambitious intentions. Amorim stated that joining a club of Milan's stature requires a winning mentality and that he views the role as an even greater challenge than his previous assignment. He intends to work closely with his staff and players to restore the Rossoneri to their rightful competitive position.

During his three-day initial visit to Milan, Amorim will tour Casa Milan's trophy room, engage in multimedia content creation, and begin house-hunting activities. His formal presentation to the club is scheduled for mid-week, with the squad returning to Milanello on Sunday for medical examinations and pre-season preparations beginning Monday. His contract runs until 2029.

Background and Context

Amorim arrives at Milan following a challenging final period for the club, which secured only seven points across its last eight Serie A matches and missed Champions League qualification. Milan's owner Gerry Cardinale indicated his intention to take a hands-on approach moving forward. One of Amorim's early priorities involves persuading 40-year-old midfielder Luka Modric to extend his contract with the Italian giants.

Notably, AC Milan will face Manchester United in a pre-season fixture in Poland on August 15, providing an early reunion between Amorim and his former club. The appointment marks Amorim's first managerial role since leaving United, having previously managed Sporting Lisbon.