Sporting Lisbon confirmed on Tuesday Manchester United’s intention to hire manager Ruben Amorim, an important development as the English club moves quickly to appoint Erik Ten Hag’s successor.
In a statement to Portugal’s Securities Market Commission, Lisbon said United had “expressed interest” in Amorim’s appointment and is willing to pay his $10.8 million release clause. United will reportedly have a three-person delegation in Lisbon to move the conversation forward. according to The Guardianalthough it is unclear how quickly a deal will be reached.
The Red Devils are reportedly hoping to complete a deal in time for Sunday’s match against Chelsea. according to ESPNalthough they have a contingency plan in place. Ruud van Nistelrooy, former United player and assistant under ten Hag, will take charge of the team as the search for a new manager continues and oversee Wednesday’s EFL Cup match against Leicester City.
Sporting’s apparent willingness to do business reportedly stems from the fact that they have already lined up Amorim’s successor – Jooo Pereira. The former Sporting player, who won the Primeira Liga with Amorim during the 2020-2021 season, is currently coaching the reserve team but has agreed a deal to take charge of the senior team should the role become available.
Amorim could speak on the subject on Tuesday when he takes charge of Sporting’s Taca da Liga match against Nacional. This could be his last game on the sidelines for the club if United can get a deal done within their desired timeline.
The Portuguese club’s statement comes after reports emerged on Monday that United was fielding Amorim as Ten Hag’s successor. Just hours later it became clear that the club was willing to pay Amorim’s release clause Ten Hag’s shootingand Amorim was just as open to conversation, according to The Athletic.
The 39-year-old Amorim is considered a rising managerial talent in Europe after making a name for himself in his native Portugal. He has spent most of his managerial career at Sporting, who hired him in March 2020 and achieved success under his leadership, winning the Primeira Liga in the 2021/22 and 2023/24 seasons. The league title at the end of the 2021-2022 season ended a 19-year drought in a league long dominated by Benfica and Porto. They top the table this season with nine perfect wins from nine and are currently eighth in the UEFA Champions League table with seven points from nine.
Amorim prefers to play with his teams in a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 formation with defensive stability and a preference for ball possession, while possessing a flexible attacking strategy. He has also worked with a handful of players who went on to sign for top clubs in Europe, such as United’s Manuel Ugarte and Manchester City’s Matheus Nunes.
His success in recent years has already seen him linked with a number of high-profile jobs in England, including at Liverpool and West Ham. Amorim was considered the front-runner to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool until Arne Slot filled the role, although he later traveled to London to discuss their vacancy. in April called the trip a “mistake” for timing.
Despite Amorim’s CV, he would have a big task ahead of him at United. Not only are they in 14th place with three wins in their first nine games, their worst start to the season in 35 years, but their problems are bigger than the manager’s. The team has built a roster that lacks high-quality players and is instead made up largely of underperforming players. Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes are the only players with multiple goals or assists this season, while high-profile players such as Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund have been out of form for more than a year.