Amorim: Childhood Milan fan, learned from mistakes at Man United to become better coach

Hupu, July 28 — AC Milan, under the management of Rúben Amorim, arrived in Perth, Australia, on the evening of Monday, July 27, 2026, to begin the second half of their preseason preparations. Following a routine press conference, the team immediately commenced training. All attention is now focused on the first friendly match of the tour — against Perth Glory — which will be played behind closed doors on August 1 at 18:20 local time.

During the press conference, Amorim shared his views on several topics, ranging from Rafael Leão's future to the honor of coaching Milan, as well as his previous experience at Manchester United. Notably, due to the lack of a suitable offer, Leão, who wears the red and black number 10 jersey, will join the team for the Australian tour.

On Leão's Situation

"As long as nothing changes, he is our player, and the team always comes first. For me, it's not complicated; the team is the most important thing. I will communicate with Rafael, Ramos, Saelemaekers, and all the players returning from the World Cup to explain our plan. They know what it means to play for a club like this. I know there is a lot of speculation about some of our players, but until the situation changes, they remain our players."

"Our goal is to prepare for the first match and focus on that. Everyone will train and compete for their positions, that's for sure. Nothing new, nothing different. I treat players in a special way because they are unique individuals, but the rules apply to everyone. It's simple; we don't complicate things. The key is to train, enjoy, help the team, share with the fans, and be ready for the game."

On Modrić

"He is a top player. We want to control the ball, and if there is one person in the world who can truly help the team manage possession, it's Luka. He doesn't rely on speed but on his mind. Some players will return from the World Cup, so it's hard to say if he will play, but our idea is to have him on the pitch, and we'll ultimately assess based on the actual situation."

"It's not just about the quality Modrić and other players bring; I want a team that includes young players, which is important for both our club and the national team. We made a huge effort to keep Luka, and he is happy. We're talking about Milan, and I believe everyone in the world wants to play for a club like this. Now we need to take a step forward, play better, and reach a different level."

When Asked About Being the Same Age as Modrić

"Modrić and I are the same age, so I'm still young. But sometimes it's not about age, it's about experience. All the experience I've accumulated, whether positive or negative, is very important. If this is my final destination, I'll be happy, so I need all the experience I've gained in the past."

On the Significance of Coaching Milan

"Coaching Milan is a dream. They see me as the right person, whether for success or failure. Milan is the fashion capital, and I wear a suit instead of a tracksuit, which makes me feel I'm in the right place. The management chose me, and I believe we recognize that we want to play the same way. They chose me not only for my successes but also for my experience at a big club like Manchester United, which helped them understand me better. All the thoughts I shared with Mr. Cardinale during our talks made them realize I was prepared for this, not just because of past successes but also because of the failures I've experienced. I think that played a big role in the negotiations."

On His Coaching Experience at Manchester United

"I'm very happy and honored to have coached Manchester United during that period, but now I'm at Milan. I've spoken with people at the club, and the most important thing now is to understand the club I'm at and its history. This time it's easier for me because I've been a Milan fan since childhood, so I understand the club's culture, philosophy, and history. But all that belongs to the past; the goal now is to build a new future. We must recognize that we are in a different environment, and we want to take risks, invest in young players, and rebuild the team. That's also a risk for the coach, but I'd rather take that risk and be passionate about something new. They chose me for a reason, and one of them is that I enjoy coaching teams that are in difficult situations. I know it's complicated, but we want to rebuild something."

"I learned a lot at Manchester United and made mistakes. First of all, the past no longer matters. You have a history, then something happens, but the environment changes, and you need to focus on the next challenge. I learned a lot, and it's hard to pinpoint one specific thing, but what's important is that I clearly know I made many mistakes. When you reflect and realize it's not just others' fault but also your own responsibility, you become a better coach and a better person."

Source: Milan Sports Newspaper