Manchester United is reportedly interested in appointing Sporting Lisbon's manager, Ruben Amorim, as their new head coach, with the club willing to trigger his €10 million (£8.3 million) release clause, according to a statement from Sporting.
Following the sacking of Erik ten Hag on Monday, United is actively searching for a new managerial appointment. The Portuguese club confirmed, "Manchester United have expressed their interest in recruiting coach Ruben Amorim and have said they are ready to pay the 10 million euro release clause," in a communication to Portugal's financial regulator, the CMVM.
Amorim, aged 39, has gained recognition in the coaching sphere, leading Sporting to two Portuguese league titles, including their first in 19 years, since his appointment in 2020. Meanwhile, Manchester United has refrained from commenting on the reports.
Ten Hag was dismissed after a disappointing 2-1 loss to West Ham, leaving United in 14th place in the Premier League with just three victories from their first nine matches. In the Europa League, United currently sits 21st out of 36 teams, having drawn all three of their opening fixtures.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who joined the coaching staff last summer, has been appointed as the interim manager and will oversee the upcoming Carabao Cup match against Leicester City. United's next Premier League clash is against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday.
In a press conference on Monday, Amorim anticipated questions about the Manchester United job but was not prepared to discuss it further. Sporting is set to compete against Nacional in the Portuguese League Cup on Tuesday.
Amorim's contract with Sporting extends until June 2026. He previously held talks with West Ham in April but ultimately did not reach an agreement, later apologizing to Sporting for the discussions.
As developments unfold, it seems increasingly likely that Amorim could take the helm at Manchester United for their match against Chelsea on Sunday. However, the appointment is not without its risks. Amorim has no prior experience managing outside the Portuguese league, and while Sporting is a prestigious club, the scale of Manchester United presents a different challenge.
Questions remain regarding Amorim's salary, the length of his contract, potential transfer budget, the suitability of his preferred three-man defense given United's current squad structure, and the future of captain Bruno Fernandes. The fate of Van Nistelrooy post-EFL Cup match is also uncertain.
These inquiries are expected to be addressed in any forthcoming official announcement or press conference. For now, Amorim prepares for what is likely to be his final game as Sporting's manager before potentially embarking on a significant new chapter in his career.
