Ruben Amorim spoke to the media for the first time as AC Milan coach, and it’s fair to say he impressed.
The Portuguese manager flopped at Manchester United in his previous role, but Milan are betting on his form from Sporting CP that saw him win two Primeira Ligas after a 19-year drought.
Amorim‘s football is more likely to suit Serie A, and so is his communication style after it was so poor in England.
Speaking after arriving at the club’s facilities, he reflected on his time at United and why he reversed his promise not to manage another faltering giant.
Amorim’s first words as Milan coach
“I’m really happy to be here,” he said.
“It’s an honour to be the coach of AC Milan. If you look at an old interview of mine, I said this is a special club for me.
“It’s a great challenge. After the last time [at United] I promised myself to choose a smaller challenge, and yet here I am, it’s an even bigger challenge.
“But I’m proud to be here, now I want to work with my staff and my players… I’m really happy to be here.”
Asked if he’s here to win, he responded: “Of course.
“You can’t come to Milan without this mentality. I’m not naïve and I know we have a lot to do, but if you’re the coach of Milan, you have to play to win.”
Amorim also spoke some Italian to try and win over the locals, understanding Italian questions, but responding mainly in English.
Amorim’s Milan history
He may have learned some Italian from his childhood love of Milan, which he referenced in those comments.
In a 2017 interview, Amorim talked up his love of the club and Benfica, before taking over rivals Sporting.
“As a child, I had two great passions: Benfica and AC Milan,” he said at the time.
“I still remember spending hours watching tapes of Sacchi and Capello’s Rossoneri: Maldini, Baresi, Gullit, Rijkaard, Savicevic…
“My childhood dreams were to play for Benfica and AC Milan. I only managed to achieve one. Now I’ll have to coach the Rossoneri.”
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