AC Milan has agreed to hire Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim as its new head coach following Massimiliano Allegri’s departure.
The Rossoneri have been looking for a new manager since Allegri was fired on May 25 after the club failed to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
According to sources from Italy, Amorim has emerged as Milan’s favourite candidate following weeks of negotiations and evaluations including other coaching alternatives.
The former Sporting CP and Manchester United manager is anticipated to sign a two-year contract with an option for another season.
According to reports, the deal is worth roughly €3.5 million per season, with further bonuses for championships and Champions League qualification.
Amorim has been without a club since leaving Manchester United in January, and he was set to take a vacation from coaching until Milan’s approach changed his plans.
The 41-year-old is expected to be in Italy soon to seal the agreement and start preparing for his new post.
According to Italian and Portuguese media reports, Milan’s interest was piqued by Amorim’s long-time fondness for the club.
In a 2017 interview with Portuguese publication Tribuna Expresso, the former midfielder expressed his admiration for the Rossoneri while reflecting on his boyhood football heroes.
“As a child I liked watching Benfica and Milan. I remember watching Milan videos with Maldini, Baresi, Gullit, Rijkaard and Savićević,” Amorim said.
“My childhood dreams were to play for Benfica and Milan. I achieved one of them. Now I must become a coach at the other.”
Amorim reportedly beat out many other candidates, including Al Ahli manager Matthias Jaissle, whose employment would have required Milan to negotiate compensation with the Saudi club.
With Amorim currently unattached, Milan was able to move quickly and negotiate a deal for the Portuguese strategist, who is now expected to spearhead the club’s rebuilding efforts ahead of the new season.