Manchester United have reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim to replace sacked former boss Erik ten Hag.
We reported earlier that United have ended their collaboration with Erik ten Hag following an unceasing run of underwhelming performances.
Erik ten Hag’s dismissal from his Man United role came two months after the club triggered its extension clause in the summer despite a not-so-stellar 2023-24 campaign.
His assistant manager, Ruud Van Nistelroy, was placed in interim charge over the United dugout, but the search for a replacement had long begun.
Now, according to The Sun, United have reached a verbal agreement with Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim to become the new Manchester United manager just a few hours after Ten Hag was sacked.
Sources close to the club revealed there were prior talks with Ruben Amorim and his representatives before Erik ten Hag was sacked.
The fast-rising young manager was on the radar of top clubs in Europe and was open to leaving Sporting Lisbon at the end of the current campaign.
He was strongly linked to Manchester City job with Pep Guardiola’s future yet to be settled. Manchester City hierarchy reportedly identified the 39-year-old as a prime target should Guardiola refuse to sign a new contract at the end of the season.
He was also on Liverpool and West Ham United radar before talks broke down. With clubs still vying for his services, United swiftly proceeded on terms of agreement, having locked in talks with him before parting ways with Ten Hag.
Manchester United trigger Ruben Amorim’s Sporting Lisbon release clause
According to the Portuguese outlet, A Bola, all is set for Ruben Amorim to become the new Manchester United manager. The Manchester-based outfit has reportedly triggered the 39-year-old’s release clause.
Amorim’s release clause for Portuguese clubs is said to be £25m. The value drops to £17m for foreign clubs, with United said to have paid up the clause.
This implies United have forked out a total of £32m to process a change of hands in the club’s dugout, with Erik ten Hag’s severance package pecked at £15m.
Rubin Amorim managerial profile
Rubin Amorim began his managerial career in 2018, coaching Primeira Liga side Casa Pia. He spent a season with the club before joining Braga B as head coach in 2019.
A year later, he assumed the reins as the club’s first team manager and won the Portugal Cup on his first season.
Following a standout performance with Braga, he was poached by Primeira Liga giants Sporting Lisbon in 2020. On his first season, he clinched a domestic double, winning the 2020-21 Primeira and the 2021 Portugal Cup.
He also led the club to the 2023-24 Primeira Liga triumph, including a second consecutive Portugal Cup in 2022. Overall, Amorim has won 170 of his 237 games with Sporting Lisbon, drawing 34 and losing 33.
He was interviewed in the summer for managerial vacancies at Liverpool and West Ham United. Despite his relatively virgin experience in the dugout, he has earned rave reviews for his achievements with Sporting Lisbon.
A move to Manchester United marks a big leap in his career as well as a bigger challenge with the club looking to return to top-level performance.
