AC Milan owner growing impatient with Ruben Amorim

Manchester United have become accustomed to watching former managers attempt to rebuild their reputations after leaving Old Trafford.

Ruben Amorim was appointed in November 2024, tasked with restoring United to the top of English football after Erik ten Hag’s departure.

However, his 14-month spell ultimately failed to deliver the transformation the club had hoped for.

United finished 15th in the Premier League during his first season, while their Europa League final defeat to Tottenham and embarrassing League Cup exit to Grimsby Town added to the scrutiny.

His insistence on a three-man defence also became a major talking point.

Tensions with the club hierarchy eventually contributed to his departure at the start of this year.

AC Milan owner growing impatient with Ruben Amorim

Now, just months after leaving Manchester, Ruben Amorim is reportedly facing growing frustration from AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale following their 1-1 draw with Sassuolo, according to Portuguese outlet A Bola.

The result came after Adrien Rabiot gave Milan the lead in the 63rd minute, only for Sassuolo’s Tarik Muharemovic to equalise five minutes later.

Milan had created several opportunities and enjoyed periods of control, but their inability to protect the advantage left them disappointed.

Cardinale was reportedly visibly unhappy after the match, with the team’s performance and Amorim’s decisions coming under renewed scrutiny.

The criticism is particularly striking because Milan remain unbeaten in Serie A after six matches, collecting 12 points.

Their recent run has included a 3-0 win over Lecce, but they have also drawn against Lazio, Juventus and Sassuolo, while their 2-0 Europa League defeat to Benfica exposed concerns about their attacking creativity and defensive organisation.

Amorim’s tactical approach is once again at the centre of the debate.

His teams are known for aggressive pressing, quick transitions and a high defensive line, but those principles can leave space for opponents to exploit when the press is beaten.

Milan’s struggles to consistently turn possession into clear chances have raised questions about whether the Portuguese coach has found the right balance between attacking ambition and defensive security.

There is, however, an important difference between his current situation and his time at United.

Amorim has already shown some willingness to adjust his system at Milan, including using a back four in possession against Lecce.

He has also acknowledged that he cannot repeat the mistakes he made in Manchester, where his reluctance to change formation became a defining criticism of his tenure.

Milan’s unbeaten league record means reports of frustration do not necessarily signal an imminent managerial crisis.

Nevertheless, the Sassuolo draw has increased the scrutiny on Amorim, and his ability to make Milan’s performances more convincing may prove just as important as keeping their results positive.