Ruben Amorim is now the leading contender to become the new AC Milan manager, talkSPORT understands.
The ex-Manchester United boss was never in contention to take over at Benfica as he didn’t want to return to Portugal.
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Milan are on the lookout for a new manager after sacking Massimiliano Allegri at the end of the Serie A campaign.
Allegri was unable to lead the Italian giants to Champions League qualification in a season described as an ‘unequivocal failure’.
It was the second year in a row that they missed out on a place in UEFA’s elite European competition.
Now, Amorim appears to be the man set to replace Allegri, in what will be his first job since leaving Man United in January.
The Portuguese manager had a nightmare 14-month spell in charge of the Red Devils, where he won just 25 of 63 games.
He was regularly questioned for his tactics and that eventually led to a total breakdown in relationship with the United board.
But after a few months away from football following his sacking, Amorim looks set to return to management in Italy.
Free agent Oliver Glasner had been linked to Milan after leaving Crystal Palace, but it appears he has missed out.
Meanwhile, sacked Liverpool manager Arne Slot has also been linked with the job following Allegri’s departure.
Amorim is the leading contender now though, and he’s rejected a chance to come back to the Premier League in favour of Milan.
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Not interested
Amorim is looking likely to become the new AC Milan manager, having turned down the chance to speak to Fulham.
Marco Silva has departed the Cottagers and become Benfica boss, leaving his old side on the lookout for a replacement.
Kieran McKenna was spoken to by the club, but after leaving Ipswich, he’ll be taking a break from football altogether.
talkSPORT understands that former Man United boss Amorim was also approached by Fulham too.
They enquired as to whether he would be open to making the move to replace Silva at Craven Cottage.
But he backed away from any potential deal – and it looks as if he’s going to be sitting in the Milan hotseat instead.
Milan finished fifth in Serie A last season, qualifying for the Europa League rather than the Champions League.
A loss on the final day of the campaign saw them drop out of the top four, with Amorim’s aim sure to be to get them back among Europe’s elite if he is to take over.