Ruben Amorim is set to return to management as the next head coach of AC Milan, with the Portuguese tactician having reached an agreement in principle with the Italian giants, according to BBC Sport.

No contract has been formally signed yet, but the 41-year-old is expected to travel to Milan later this week to put pen to paper on a two-year deal. He will replace Massimiliano Allegri, who was dismissed following a dismal end to the season that saw AC Milan miss out on UEFA Champions League qualification.

Amorim waives final pay from Manchester United

Reports emerging from Italy suggest that Amorim is prepared to forgo the remaining year of wages still owed to him by Manchester United following his sacking in January — a sum that, together with his coaching staff's payoffs, United had previously estimated could reach up to £15.9 million.

Whether that saving will be reflected in United's forthcoming financial results — due for release in the autumn — remains unclear.

Amorim endured a turbulent 14 months at Old Trafford after taking over from Erik ten Hag in November 2024, a move that came after the club declined his request to delay his arrival until the end of that season.

From Sporting glory to a fresh start in Serie A

Before his difficult spell in Manchester, Amorim had established himself as one of the most exciting young coaches on the continent through his work at Sporting. He ended their 19-year wait for a Portuguese league title in 2020-21, then claimed the championship again in 2023-24 — a record that drew admiration from clubs across Europe.

Last month, sources close to the coach moved to distance him from a potential return to former club Benfica, around the time it became clear that Jose Mourinho was departing for Real Madrid. Former Fulham manager Marco Silva has since been appointed at Benfica.

Pre-season schedule features a reunion with Manchester United

If the contracts are signed as anticipated, Amorim's first competitive outing as AC Milan head coach will be a pre-season fixture against Celtic on 25 July. In a notable twist, the club's pre-season will conclude with a match against Manchester United in Wroclaw on 15 August.