Amorim apologises to Man Utd fans for silent exit as he is unveiled by AC Milan

Ruben Amorim used his official unveiling as AC Milan head coach on Wednesday to apologise to Manchester United supporters for failing to address them when he was sacked in January, six months after departing Old Trafford following a difficult 18-month spell in charge.

“The only thing I can say is that I learn a lot and I did some mistakes,” the 41-year-old Portuguese coach said. “I didn’t have opportunity – and I am sorry for that – to say something to the Manchester United fans at the moment. I am really proud to have been their coach for a year.”

Amorim had been without a club since his dismissal before landing the role at the San Siro, and he was effusive about his new surroundings. “It’s an honour to be here. I’m so happy. I can feel that here people feel the club. I love Milanello, I think the place has history, it’s quiet. I love the staff. I feel at home.”

He also spoke of a personal connection to the club that predates his coaching career. “I follow Milan since I’m young, so it’s personal,” he said, before acknowledging the scale of the task ahead in Serie A. “I know it’s a tough league, I know that you need to know Italian football really well. I think I learn fast and I will try to do that.”

This is not the first time Amorim has referenced United since his move to Italy. In a separate interview with Calciomercato, he admitted that despite telling himself to take on a smaller challenge after Manchester, he believes the Milan job may actually be the greater test. “It’s a very big challenge that I accepted even if after the last one I told myself to accept a smaller one,” he said. “Perhaps it is a greater challenge than the last.”

Amorim arrived at United in November 2023 with a strong reputation built at Sporting CP, but struggled to arrest the club’s decline, winning just 17 of his 43 games in charge before being relieved of his duties.