Manchester United have moved swiftly to secure their next managerial appointment, with reports indicating that Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim is in advanced discussions to take over at Old Trafford following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal. The dramatic development comes after United’s disappointing 2-1 loss to West Ham, which proved to be the final straw in Ten Hag’s increasingly troubled tenure.
The 38-year-old Portuguese tactician has emerged as United’s primary target, with the club reportedly ready to trigger his €10 million release clause at Sporting CP. Sources close to the situation suggest that Amorim is open to the challenge of reviving the fortunes of one of football’s most storied institutions, currently languishing in 14th place in the Premier League with just four wins across all competitions this season.
The timing of Ten Hag’s departure, while jarring, reflects the growing sense of crisis at Old Trafford. The Dutchman’s exit comes amid a period of significant transition at the club, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group set to assume control of football operations. The appointment of Amorim would represent their first major decision in shaping United’s future direction.
Amorim’s credentials make him an intriguing choice for United. His work at Sporting CP has drawn admiration across Europe, with both Liverpool and Manchester City previously expressing interest in his services. The fact that City have already secured the services of Sporting’s former director Hugo Viana suggests they’ve been closely monitoring Amorim’s development as a coach, viewing him as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola.
The Portuguese manager’s tactical approach and ability to develop young talent while maintaining competitive success has marked him out as one of Europe’s most promising coaches. At Sporting, he ended the club’s 19-year wait for a league title in 2021, implementing an attractive, progressive style of play while successfully integrating academy products into the first team – qualities that would certainly appeal to United’s traditionalists.
In the interim, former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was recently appointed as Ten Hag’s assistant, has taken temporary charge of the team. However, the club’s hierarchy is keen to expedite Amorim’s appointment, recognizing the urgent need to arrest their decline and salvage what remains of their season, particularly in the Europa League where they’ve yet to register a victory.
The potential appointment represents a significant gamble for both parties. For United, they would be entrusting their rebuild to a relatively young coach who, despite his success in Portugal, has yet to test himself in one of Europe’s top five leagues. For Amorim, he would be walking away from a stable project at Sporting to take on one of football’s most scrutinized positions at a club in the midst of its most turbulent period in recent memory.
However, the allure of Manchester United remains powerful, even in their current state. The club’s resources, coupled with the incoming INEOS investment, could provide Amorim with the platform to implement his vision on a grander scale. His track record of rebuilding while maintaining competitiveness could be exactly what United need as they look to bridge the gap to their rivals.
The negotiations come at a crucial juncture in United’s season, with important fixtures looming in both domestic and European competitions. The club’s willingness to pay the release clause suggests a determination to avoid a prolonged period of uncertainty, though any appointment would need to be carefully managed to minimize disruption to both United and Sporting’s seasons.
As United work to finalize the deal, the football world watches with interest to see if Amorim can succeed where many others have failed in the post-Ferguson era. His potential appointment represents not just a change in management but potentially a new philosophical direction for a club desperate to rediscover its identity and success on the pitch.
