Former Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has emerged as a leading contender for the AC Milan manager's job. The Portuguese tactician has been out of work since being sacked by United in January after a challenging 14 months in charge.

Sources close to Amorim had previously distanced the 41-year-old from a return to Benfica, the club where he spent six years as a player, making 154 appearances. While no formal agreement is in place, conversations have occurred between Milan and Amorim's representatives, placing him high on their list of candidates to replace Massimiliano Allegri, who was dismissed in May after failing to qualify for the Champions League.

AC Milan had been nine points clear of fifth place when they defeated rivals Inter in March. However, they won only three of their final ten matches, accumulating just 10 points and ultimately finishing one point behind Como, who secured the last Champions League spot on the final day.

In addition to Amorim, USA coach Mauricio Pochettino and Oliver Glasner, who recently left Crystal Palace following their Uefa Conference League final victory over Rayo Vallecano, have also been linked to the vacancy.

Notably, another former Manchester United manager, Ralf Rangnick, who led the club from 2021 to 2022 before taking charge of Austria, has extended his contract with the national team until 2028, removing him from contention for the Milan role.

Should Amorim take over, he would face his old club in pre-season, with AC Milan scheduled to play Manchester United in Wroclaw, Poland on 15 August, just one week before the Premier League season kicks off.