Flamengo director fuels Milan rumours with comments on Amorim and future role in Italy

Flamengo sporting director José Boto has spoken fondly of his encounters with Ruben Amorim, someone he knows well from Benfica.

Gerry Cardinale’s idea is to support Amorim and the ‘new’ management with an experienced figure to lead the sporting side. How does that link to this story? On Thursday, Boto’s name was mentioned as part of a shortlist of three names, along with Markus Krösche and Devin Özek.

This week, the Portugal Football Summit is taking place in Oeiras, Portugal. The Milan coach Ruben Amorim attended as an observer. As captured by the cameras and images of Sky, he met José Boto at the event, for a conversation where strong smiles were recorded.

Could it be that Boto – who won four trophies with Flamengo in 2025 – fits Gerry Cardinale’s ideas? On the sidelines of the event, he was interviewed by Sky and he spoke both about Amorim’s football and the idea of a potential future in Italy. His words were relayed by Calciomercato.com.

“Amorim offers a special kind of football that requires time and the right players. It’s clear that Milan must win, but it needs time for them to adapt and for their players to adapt to theirs. If they are given this time, it will be good for Milan because they will finally be able, after Stefano Pioli, to fight for something important,” he said.

“Future? I have a contract with Flamengo, it’s a huge club, and it’s a life experience to be there in Brazilian football, at a club like Flamengo that has 40 million fans. If I were to return to Europe one day, Italian football fascinates me.

“I’ve said it many times before: I think the role of sporting director is highly valued in Italy, more than in other countries, and I would obviously like to work in football.”