Ruben Amorim has made an impressive start to life at AC Milan, becoming only the third manager in the club’s history to remain unbeaten across his first seven Serie A matches in charge.
As per Opta, four wins and three draws have seen the Portuguese match Luis Carniglia’s record from 1963, with only Hector Puricelli, who recorded three victories and four draws in his opening seven league fixtures in 1955, having previously achieved the feat.
Milan’s impressive start continued on Sunday as they secured a 3-2 victory over Atalanta at the San Siro, a result that lifted Amorim’s side into fourth place in Serie A.
It is an encouraging beginning for a manager whose reputation suffered considerable damage during his turbulent spell at Manchester United, and those who participate in games of chance such as poker online will have seen this move as a gamble, too. However, in Italy, there are growing signs that Amorim is learning from his past mistakes and adapting his approach to meet the demands of his new surroundings.
Speaking to DAZN, the 41-year-old expressed confidence that his previous experiences had prepared him for the challenge of managing one of European football’s most prestigious clubs.
“The experience we’ve built up at other clubs helps us with every challenge, or new challenge,” Amorim explained.
“Here it’s more similar to Portugal. It’s a different kind of pressure, because people outside the club experience the team really passionately. I’m used to living like that.
“In England it’s a bit different, obviously. Manchester United are a global club just like Milan, so every single thing you do carries weight, and that has helped me try to conduct myself in the best way here at Milan.
“In my head, everything I’ve experienced in my career was to reach this point, at this very special club, to be ready to help it.”
Amorim’s struggles at Manchester United were well documented, with his insistence on a particular tactical system becoming a defining feature of his time at Old Trafford.
Appointed in November 2024 following an impressive spell at Sporting CP, the Portuguese arrived in England with a reputation for developing players and implementing an identifiable style of football.
However, translating that philosophy into consistent results proved difficult. United finished 15th in the Premier League during the 2024-25 campaign, their lowest top-flight position since relegation in 1974, despite reaching the Europa League final.
His preference for a 3-4-3 formation became a significant talking point, with questions repeatedly raised about whether United possessed the personnel required to execute his system effectively.
Rather than abandoning his principles, Amorim frequently appeared reluctant to compromise, even when results suggested that a different approach might be necessary.
His departure in January 2026 brought an unhappy chapter to an end, leaving questions about whether his tactical rigidity would prevent him from fulfilling his potential at the highest level.
At Milan, however, there are encouraging signs of a manager willing to evolve.
The Rossoneri have shown greater tactical flexibility, with Amorim demonstrating an ability to adapt his approach to suit his players and the challenges presented by individual opponents.
That evolution was evident during Sunday’s victory over Atalanta. Milan established a commanding three-goal advantage through Gonçalo Ramos, Adrien Rabiot and Mario Gila, with the team’s movement, intensity and attacking quality causing their opponents considerable problems.
However, conceding two goals in the final 25 minutes threatened to undo their earlier work, forcing Milan to withstand a nervy conclusion.
Speaking after the match, Amorim acknowledged that his side needed to improve their game management, particularly when protecting a lead.
“We played well until around the 66th minute, then the momentum changed,” he explained. “We stopped pressing, and the nervousness started to increase.”
There is still work to be done, but the willingness to identify shortcomings and discuss how they can be addressed represents an important part of Amorim’s development.
His early success has also been supported by influential individual performances, with Rabiot providing energy and creativity in midfield while Ramos has offered Milan an increasingly effective attacking presence.
The challenge now is to maintain that momentum while ensuring the late collapse against Atalanta becomes a learning experience rather than a recurring problem.
There is also a cultural element to Amorim’s encouraging start. His experience in Portugal, particularly his successful spell at Sporting, prepared him for the intense scrutiny that accompanies managing a club where supporters view football as an integral part of their identity.
Milan offers a similarly passionate environment, with expectations shaped by the club’s illustrious history and its standing among Europe’s elite.
For Amorim, the task is to harness those expectations rather than allow them to become an additional source of pressure.
There is, of course, a long way to go before Amorim can be considered a success at the San Siro. Seven unbeaten league matches provide an encouraging foundation, but sustaining that form across a demanding campaign will be the true measure of his progress.
Nevertheless, his start offers genuine reasons for optimism.