Amorim admits to Manchester United mistakes as Milan arrive in Perth and backs Modric gamble

AC Milan touched down in Perth on Monday as new head coach Ruben Amorim began preparations for a high-profile pre-season tournament featuring Milan, Inter and Serie B side Palermo.

The friendly competition in Australia marks the first on-pitch stage of Amorim’s tenure, which officially began in mid-June when he was appointed as Milan’s new manager. He replaced Massimiliano Allegri, who was dismissed after the Rossoneri failed to qualify for the Champions League at the end of last season.

In just his second media appearance since taking charge, Amorim spoke at length and in different directions about his early weeks at Milan, his past experience at Manchester United and his decision to place significant faith in Luka Modric.

Amorim reflects on Manchester United spell

Amorim openly acknowledged that he had made mistakes during his time at Manchester United, reflecting on a period that shaped his approach to management.

Without going into detailed chronology, he referred to that spell as an important learning phase and accepted responsibility for errors in judgement and decision-making. Amorim indicated that those experiences had influenced the way he now handles pressure, squad building and tactical planning at an elite club.

He stressed that he had taken “lessons, not excuses” from his time in England and suggested that the challenges he faced there were helping him to deal with the expectations at Milan, particularly after the club’s failure to secure Champions League football last season.

Modric at the heart of Amorim’s project

Amorim also revealed why he is prepared to build so much of his project around Modric, explaining the thinking behind what many view as a bold bet on the Croatian midfielder.

He described Modric as central to his tactical vision, citing the player’s technical quality, intelligence and influence in the dressing room. Amorim made clear that Modric’s experience at the highest level of European football was a key factor in his decision, believing that the midfielder can set standards on and off the pitch for a squad that must respond to the disappointment of missing out on the Champions League.

Amorim portrayed the decision not as a risk for its own sake, but as a calculated choice based on Modric’s capacity to manage the tempo of games and guide younger team-mates through a demanding season.

Milan turning the page after Allegri

Allegri’s dismissal came after Milan were unable to secure a Champions League place, a failure that prompted the club’s hierarchy to seek a new direction. Amorim’s appointment in mid-June was presented as part of a broader reset aimed at restoring Milan’s status among Europe’s elite.

The tour to Perth and the tournament involving Inter and Palermo will provide an early glimpse of how Amorim intends to reshape the team. Training sessions and friendly matches in Australia are expected to be used to test structures that maximise Modric’s influence and to begin implementing lessons drawn from his previous role at Manchester United.

While results in Perth will not define his tenure, Amorim’s comments made clear that he sees this period as crucial for instilling a new mentality at Milan, built on accountability for past errors and confidence in the leaders he has chosen to trust.