Ruben Amorim has reached an agreement in principle to become the next head coach of AC Milan, with a formal signing expected before the end of the week.

The 41-year-old is set to travel to Milan and put pen to paper on a two-year contract. He takes over from Massimiliano Allegri, who was dismissed after a dismal run of results at the close of the season left the club without Champions League football for next term.

Amorim waives final Manchester United pay

According to Italian reports, Amorim has agreed to give up the remaining year's salary still owed to him by Manchester United following his departure from the club in January. In February, United had indicated that terminating Amorim's contract — along with those of his backroom staff — could amount to as much as £15.9 million in total costs.

Whether that financial relief will need to be declared in United's upcoming results, due in the autumn, remains unclear.

A coach forged at Sporting

Amorim spent 14 turbulent months at Old Trafford after replacing Erik ten Hag in November 2024 — a move that came despite his request to delay the transition until the end of that season. He was eventually sacked following a run of form that left United among English football's most troubled sides.

Before his ill-fated stint in Manchester, Amorim had built a formidable reputation at Sporting, where he ended the club's 19-year wait for a league title in 2020-21 and delivered another championship in 2023-24. Those achievements made him one of the most coveted young managers on the continent.

Last month, sources in his camp firmly dismissed speculation linking him to a return to Benfica — his former club — at a time when Jose Mourinho's move to Real Madrid was opening up a vacancy. Former Fulham manager Marco Silva was ultimately appointed to that role.

Pre-season opener against Celtic

If the contracts are finalised as anticipated, Amorim's first competitive outing as AC Milan boss will be a pre-season fixture against Celtic on 25 July. In a remarkable twist, his side will round off their pre-season schedule against Manchester United in Wroclaw on 15 August — a reunion few could have scripted.