Ruben Amorim, the former Manchester United head coach, has emerged as one of AC Milan's leading candidates to take charge of the Italian club ahead of next season.

Amorim, 41, has been without a club since Manchester United dismissed him in January, ending a difficult 14-month spell at Old Trafford. Sources close to the Portuguese coach had previously indicated he was unlikely to take over at Benfica, despite spending six years there as a player and making 154 appearances.

No formal agreement is yet in place, but conversations have taken place between AC Milan and Amorim's representatives. He is understood to be high on the club's list of targets to succeed Massimiliano Allegri, who was sacked in May after Milan failed to secure a Champions League place for next season.

Milan's collapse that cost them European football

AC Milan's failure to qualify for the Champions League was one of the season's most dramatic collapses. At one stage in March, following a derby victory over Inter, they held a nine-point cushion over fifth place. However, they managed only three wins from their final 10 matches — accumulating just 10 points — and ultimately finished a single point behind Como, who claimed the last Champions League spot on the final day of the season.

Other names in the frame

Amorim is not the only high-profile name linked with the vacancy at the San Siro. Mauricio Pochettino, currently in charge of the United States national team, has also been mentioned as a candidate, along with Oliver Glasner, who departed Crystal Palace after leading them to victory in the UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano.

Ralf Rangnick, another former Manchester United manager who had been connected with the role, is no longer a contender. The Austrian has committed his future to the Austria national team, signing a contract extension through to 2028.

A reunion with his old club

Should Amorim secure the AC Milan job, he would face a notable reunion early in his tenure. AC Milan are scheduled to meet Manchester United in a pre-season fixture in Wroclaw, Poland, on 15 August — one week before the Premier League campaign gets under way.