1980–81 AC Milan season

During the 1980–81 season Milan Associazione Calcio competed in Coppa Italia and for the first time ever in Serie B.

Summary
Owing to Totonero sentences and after appeals, owner Felice Colombo appointed Gaetano Morazzoni as new president, but kept the majority of the stakes in the club. For the first time in their history, the club played in the Serie B tournament. Several players were signed, such as Avellino goalkeeper Ottorino Piotti, defender Mauro Tassotti from Lazio and midfielder Stefano Cuoghi from Modena. Other additions to the squad were Sergio Battistini, Alberico Evani and Andrea Icardi from the youth team. Meanwhile, midfielder Alberto Bigon and forward Stefano Chiodi were transferred out to S.S. Lazio, midfielder Fabio Capello retired after injuries and goalkeeper Enrico Albertosi was banned two years after Totonero.

In Coppa Italia, the team was eliminated in the first round finishing fourth in a group including Avellino, Catania, Palermo and Inter.

In 1980-81 Serie B the squad reached the promotion to Serie A, finishing the competition in first place with 50 points, two more than Genoa and Cesena, both also promoted to Serie A. In the league, Milan collected 18 wins, 14 draws, 6 defeats, with 49 goals scored and 29 goals conceded. Right after the achievement of the promotion in the home game against Monza, head coach Massimo Giacomini left the squad, and Italo Galbiati was appointed as caretaker for the last match against Pescara. Roberto Antonelli was the top goalscorer of the Serie B season, with 15 goals.