Ruben Amorim: Ex-Manchester United boss a leading contender for AC Milan job

Former Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has emerged as a leading contender for the AC Milan manager’s job.

The Portuguese has been out of work since being sacked by United in January after a torrid 14 months in charge.

Sources close to the former Sporting boss had previously distanced the 41-year-old from a return to Benfica, the club he spent six years with as a player, making 154 appearances.

While there is no agreement in place, there have been conversations between Milan and Amorim’s representatives and he is high on their list of candidates to replace Massimiliano Allegri, who was dismissed in May after failing to qualify for the Champions League.

Milan had been nine points clear of fifth place when they beat rivals Inter in March, but then won just three of their final 10 games, picking up 10 points to eventually finish a point behind Como, who snatched the final Champions League spot on the last day.

USA coach Mauricio Pochettino has also been linked with the vacancy, as has Oliver Glasner, who left Crystal Palace following their Uefa Conference League final victory over Rayo Vallecano.

However, another former Manchester United boss who had been linked with the Milan job is out of the running.

Ralf Rangnick, who managed the Old Trafford club from 2021 to 2022 before taking charge of Austria, has extended his contract with the nation to 2028.

If Amorim took over, he would face his old club in pre-season, with AC Milan due to face United in Wroclaw, Poland on 15 August, a week before the Premier League begins.