Cardinale: ‘Thrilled to work with Amorim, six months of meetings in one month’ | OneFootball

Milan owner Gerry Cardinale has introduced new head coach Ruben Amorim in front of the press, says that he ‘couldn’t be more thrilled’ to be working with the former Manchester United and Sporting CP tactician and that the Rossoneri had to cram six months’ worth of meetings into just a few weeks in order to be ready for the start of the 2026-27 season.

It has been a busy off-season for Milan, who parted company with their entire senior management team the day after the 2025-26 season ended. Head coach Massimiliano Allegri, sporting director Igli Tare, technical director Geoffrey Moncada and CEO Giorgio Furlani were all let go in one fell swoop, all confirmed in one singular club statement.

Since then, Milan have agreed a deal for Amorim to take over as head coach. He will be supported by Massimo Calvelli, Hendrik Almstadt and Bobby Gardiner in a newly-restructured senior management team.

RUBEN AMORIM – AUGUST 09: Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United acknowledges the fans after the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and ACF Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 09, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

Amorim was spotted arriving at Milan’s training ground on Tuesday, along with owner Cardinale, and the two sat down in front of the media for the introductory press conference on Wednesday.

Cardinale introduces Amorim as Milan embark on a new chapter

“When I set everything in motion that you’ve seen over the last month or so, the day after our season ended, was towards re-looking at our football organisation,” began Cardinale.

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 03: Gerry Cardinale of AC Milan looks on before the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 03, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“For the first time in my ownership, my jumping in to be a much more hands-on owner, the first thing I decided to do was to really look at the coaching position.

“When I look at football organisations, the relationship between coach, ownership and management is absolutely critical. In normal circumstances, you go for head of football, sporting director, and then a coach.

“We packed six months’ worth of meetings into a month. Very important to this whole process, we fundamentally want to bring AC Milan back to its football heritage. We’re gonna play to win. We’re not going to play not to lose, but play to win.

“That means we want a football style that fits that objective. And that is a high press, high possession, attacking style of football. It’ll be an exciting style of football, fun to watch, and high scoring.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 17: Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 17, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

“I also want to create a culture here. I’ve been hands off in my ownership, so a wake up call for everybody is those days are over. I’m here, I’m now, I’m responsible, but I have a great team around me. That team worked with me very closely over the last month and a half to get to the point where we have Ruben as the foundation stone for our football organisation.

“Our team has depth, just so we’re all clear. I’ve taken one of my best guys, Massimo Calvelli, and moved him into AC Milan as the CEO. We’re putting our money where our mouth is, we’re letting our actions speak for themselves, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to start this with you and Ruben.”