Amorim vows full control over Milan squad and transfers, promises Pulisic debut soon

Milan manager Paulo Amorim used his pre‑Lazio press conference to lay out a sweeping new vision for the club, positioning himself as both head coach and chief decision‑maker on the transfer market – a model inspired by English‑style managers and backed by RedBird patron Gerry Cardinale. Amorim said he will "take full responsibility for every decision" and that the club is entering a "small revolution" that requires time, support and cohesion.

Opening the briefing, Amorim paid homage to former captain Rino Gattuso, calling him "a legend of Milan" and stressing that talent alone is insufficient. "Gattuso is a legend of Milan: talent is not everything. The passion he showed is something we must rediscover in our club," he declared, adding that passion and commitment are the keys to overcoming current challenges.

The most scrutinised issue was the status of US winger Christian Pulisic, who has not featured in the first three Serie A fixtures. Amorim explained the delay was not a lack of faith but a combination of injury setbacks and tactical context. "He’s angry because he has zero minutes so far and I like that in my players. He suffered a summer injury and then a knock in the first training session. I will not drop a player who is doing well just to put a name on the field – that is my way of managing the group," he said, promising that "you will see Pulisic from this weekend, maybe from the start or as a substitute."

Amorim reiterated that squad selection will be driven by performance in training rather than reputation. "What matters is what you do in training, not the name on the shirt," he emphasized, underscoring his principle of meritocracy and his willingness to stand by those principles even under pressure.

The Portuguese coach also detailed the structural shift away from the traditional Italian model where the board handles transfers and the coach only trains. "The idea of an English‑type manager, with manager‑like functions for market choices and daily squad life, comes from Gerry Cardinale," Amorim explained. He confirmed that he now has the "final word on everything" regarding player acquisitions, a clear break from the era of Ibrahimović‑era Fonseca, where the market was a separate department.

Amorim acknowledged that this integrated approach will take time to bear fruit, calling it "a small revolution that needs patience and unity." He urged the club’s hierarchy, staff and supporters to back the new framework, stating that the success of Milan now hinges on his leadership and the collective belief in the new system.

Looking ahead to the Lazio clash, Amorim hinted that the squad’s depth will be tested over the next eight weeks, with three games per week after the international break. "All will be tired, but Pulisic is important and will play many matches," he concluded, leaving fans with the promise of seeing the American star finally take to the pitch.