Ruben Amorim: Sporting boss could be in position at Man Utd in time to face Chelsea, live on Sky Sports

29 October 2024, 08:16 | Updated: 29 October 2024, 23:12

Man Utd are in advanced talks with Sporting head coach Ruben Amorim and he could be in charge for Sunday's Premier League clash with Chelsea, live on Sky Sports.

United approached Sporting over appointing Amorim as their new boss and talks are thought to be advancing over making the 39-year-old Erik ten Hag's successor after the Dutchman was sacked on Monday morning.

Amorim was part of the club's shortlist of options as revealed by Sky Sports News on Monday, and on Tuesday Sporting informed the Portuguese stock exchange that Man United were prepared to pay the £8.3m release clause.

A deal has not been done yet and sources insist an announcement on United's new permanent manager is not imminent, but if a compensation package can be agreed Amorim could be in the dugout at Old Trafford for Sunday's home game with Chelsea, live on Sky Sports.

Despite batting away the question of whether he is in the frame to get the Old Trafford job during a press conference after Ten Hag's sacking, it is understood Amorim would relish the challenge of coaching United.

Man Utd manager news - live updates
Why Sporting coach Amorim could be right for Man Utd

When asked about his future in the wake of Ten Hag's sacking, Amorim said at a pre-match press conference on Monday: "I was expecting that question and obviously I am not going to talk about my future.

"I am not going to speak about my future because no matter what I say I'd have to always talk about it.

"Since the first day, I said it was not worthy to ask about it and I am not going to make any comments about my future."

He added: "I am very proud of being Sporting head coach."

In recent weeks he has been suggested as a future Manchester City manager with Sporting's Hugo Viana, a close friend, due to move to the blue half of Manchester as the club's new director of football next season.

A former Benfica and Portugal midfielder, Amorim retired as a player in 2017 and just two years later he took up his first managerial job at Braga.

He then joined Sporting in March 2020 where he has established himself as one of Europe's most sought-after young coaches, twice guiding the club to the league title.

He has also won the Taca da Liga - the Portuguese League Cup - on three occasions, twice with Sporting and once with Braga.

'Amorim expected to become the next Man Utd manager'

Sky Sports News Chief Reporter Kaveh Solhekol:

"Multiple sources in Portugal are telling us they expect Ruben Amorim to become the next Man Utd manager. For that to happen, United need to sort out a compensation package with Sporting.

"That will not be complicated as in his Sporting contract, it says if United want him, they will have to pay €10m (£8.3m) compensation. He has different release clauses in his contract for different clubs, so if he was to leave for a Portuguese team, it would cost €30m (£24.9m), but if he was to leave for a club abroad, it would be €20m (£16.6m). But for the biggest clubs, the 'killer clubs' as they are called in Portugal, a United is one, it is €10m (£8.3m).

"So as long as he tells Sporting he wants to join United, there is a very good chance he will be their next manager."

Why Man Utd are in talks with Amorim

Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:

"Amorim was linked with the West Ham job, the Liverpool job and there is even talk of him being a Manchester City manager one day.

"He is one of the most coveted young coaches in Europe at the moment. It is not just United who are interested.

"One of the stumbling blocks to this deal being done is the fact that he's got this release clause in his contract.

"Sporting had to pay a big release clause to get him in the first place and United will have to pay €10m (£8.3m) to get him.

"United have to comply with PSR rules and they have to also pay off Erik ten Hag so there's talk they will have to pay him the region of £15m.

"So United would need to spend not only to sack Ten Hag but also to bring in Amorim.

"His brand of football is attractive but some detractors would say what he has achieved has been over a very short period of time in Portuguese football.

"With all due respect, the level of the Portuguese league is not at the same level as others in Europe. But it looks like Amorim could be the next big Portuguese manager."

Man Utd sack Ten Hag as Van Nistelrooy takes interim charge
What went wrong for Ten Hag at Man Utd?
Stream Man Utd in the Premier League with NOW

'Amorim will change tactics depending on the opposition'

Portuguese football journalist Pedro Sepulveda:

"Amorim always plays with three centre-backs, so Man Utd will have to change their tactics from under Ten Hag.

"It is offensive football, a team that scores many, many goals and they hardly concede any, so he has a concrete idea how to play.

"However, we have seen many times that if Amorim wants to change formation due to the opponent he is facing, that is not a problem too.

"More importantly, he is a coach that studies his opponents a lot and the Premier League is a really good league for Amorim.

"Amorim always says he does not have Twitter or Instagram, he says he never knows what is written in the press.

"But he is a coach whose communication is very, very good, if you look at his press conferences, he always says the right things.

"In my opinion, he is a coach who is above the others in terms of communication and behaviour during and after the match, which is very important these days.

"Of course, he will have the pressure of being Man Utd coach, but there are some similarities with here, like Man Utd are not used to winning things.

"So I really think he could make United one of the favourites for next season's Premier League."

Why Sporting coach Amorim could be right for Man Utd

Sky Sports' Adam Bate:

It has long been inevitable that Ruben Amorim would take one of Europe's biggest jobs. Winning the title with Sporting in 2021 at the age of 36 all but guaranteed that. Repeating the feat last season only underlined his ability as a coach.

Sporting recognised that this was a special talent very early, famously paying a huge release clause after his spectacular start at Braga. They bet on his tactical mind, his fierce commitment as a player, but more than anything on the power of his personality.

In conversation with a series of Portuguese coaches, some of whom have pitted their wits against Amorim in his native country, we will explore his rise, what it is that makes him so impressive as a coach, and, crucially, whether this can be translated into his next job.

Read Adam Bate's Ruben Amorim analysis here.