Ruben Amorim takes over at AC Milan after turbulent season

ROME: Ruben Amorim has been appointed AC Milan head coach as the seven-time European champions look to secure a return to the Champions League after a difficult campaign.

Amorim has agreed a two-year contract worth a net annual salary of 3.5 million euros, or $4.06 million. The Portuguese coach, 41, arrives with the task of guiding Milan back into Serie A's top four after the club missed qualification for Europe's top club competition on the final day of the season.

Amorim said he had long wanted the role.

There are ambitions that stay with you throughout your career, and coaching AC Milan has always been one of mine,

I know exactly what this club means: history, prestige and an extraordinary fanbase around the world.

Amorim returns to management six months after his dismissal by Manchester United, where he still had a year and a half remaining on his contract. That exit cost the Premier League club £16.7 million, or $22.4 million. He had built a reputation as one of the game's promising young coaches at Sporting Lisbon, but did not succeed in turning things around at Old Trafford. Michael Carrick, who followed him, led United into next season's Champions League.

Milan overhaul after late collapse

Milan's failure to qualify for the Champions League came after a 2-1 home defeat to Cagliari, a shock result against lowly opposition. The loss left Milan fifth in Serie A, behind Roma and Como, who claimed the final two Champions League places.

The setback came amid strong fan anger directed at the club's American owners, RedBird, with loud protests reported before and after that final result. The fallout led to sweeping changes at the club, including the dismissals of coach Massimiliano Allegri, chief executive Giorgio Furlani and sporting directors Igli Tare and Geoffrey Moncada.

Allegri is expected to take charge of Napoli in the coming days following Antonio Conte's departure.