Amorim not at immediate risk of Milan sack despite Cardinale crunch talks

ITALY - SEPTEMBER 16: AC Milan coach Ruben Amorim looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between AC Milan and SL Benfica at Stadio San Siro on September 16, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Ruben Amorim and Milan owner Gerry Cardinale are due to speak on Thursday afternoon after a disappointing display at home against Benfica in the Europa League on Wednesday night, but the latest updates in Italy suggest that the coach is at no immediate risk of being given the boot five games into the 2026-27 season. 

Where Amorim stands with Milan ahead of Cardinale talks

Milan were beaten 2-0 by Benfica in their first Europa League match of the 2026-27 season on Wednesday night. This was Amorim’s first competitive defeat since taking over as Rossoneri head coach over the summer, but followed back-to-back draws against Juventus and Lazio in Serie A. 

Milan had started the season encouragingly with victories over Torino and Venezia, albeit in games they were expected to win. Since then, some have already begun to question Amorim and the direction of the project in San Siro. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport writes that Milan are struggling with the basics in that they look poor in defence and inefficient in attack. Only five matches of the 2026-27 season have been played, but Milan have not yet established an identity on the pitch. There have been complaints from supporters regarding Amorim’s team selections and his over-eagerness to tinker with his starting line-ups. 

There have been suggestions in the Italian press that Cardinale has also grown frustrated with the performances that Milan have put in over their last three matches. 

Cardinale and Amorim are reportedly due to speak on Thursday afternoon to reflect on the recent performances and to decide on the best way forward. 

However, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, there is no risk of Amorim being shown the exit door after just five matches of the season, regardless of Cardinale’s supposed frustration. 

Milan are still unbeaten in Serie A, Amorim is the coach that RedBird had targeted during the summer transfer window, and even if the last three performances have not been up to scratch, the club still consider the Portuguese for the right man to lead what they expect to be a long-term project. 

Sacking Amorim after five matches would be an admission of failure, which might be a hasty conclusion so soon after his appointment.