Ruben Amorim: The former Manchester United boss is a major contender for the AC Milan job

Former Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has emerged as the main contender for the AC Milan manager’s job.

The Portuguese have been unemployed ever since United sacked him in January After a tumultuous 14 months in charge.

Sources close to the former Sporting boss had previously ruled the 41-year-old out of a return to Benfica, the club where he spent six years as a player, making 154 appearances.

Although there is no deal in place, talks have taken place between Milan and Amorim’s representatives and he is at the top of their list of candidates to replace Massimiliano Allegri. who was fired in May After failing to qualify for the Champions League.

Milan were nine points clear of fifth place when they beat rivals Inter in March, but have since won just three of their last 10 games, finishing a point behind Como on 10 points, who clinched the final Champions League spot on the final day.

USA coach Mauricio Pochettino has also been linked to the vacancy, as has Oliver Glasner, who left Crystal Palace after their UEFA Conference League final win over Rayo Vallecano.

But another former Manchester United boss who has been linked with the Milan job is out of the running.

Ralf Rangnick, who managed the Old Trafford club from 2021 to 2022 before the Austrian took over, has extended his contract with the nation until 2028.

If Amorim takes over, AC Milan will face his old club in pre-season as they face United in Wroclaw, Poland, on August 15, a week before the start of the Premier League.