Ruben Amorim has admitted that he considered coaching Manchester City before opting for Manchester United.
Amorim has been linked with the managerial position at the Etihad side, as Pep Guardiola’s future continues to hang in the balance.
Ruben Amorim is seen as one of the best young coaches in football and Manchester City were eyeing him as a possible replacement for Guardiola if the Spaniard opts not to extend his deal with the club.
On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, Amorim will handle his last home fixture with Sporting Lisbon – a Champions League clash against Manchester City.
The Comments Of Ruben Amorim Ahead Of Sporting Lisbon’s Champions League Clash With Manchester City
Speaking ahead of the huge fixture, Ruben Amorim made it known that he thought about coaching the Cityzens but maintained that he was only interested in handling Manchester United.
The 39-year-old said: “My decision has been made and that’s the club I want to work for. That’s where I want to continue my career as a coach.
“It crossed my mind, but I decided on the club I wanted and I didn’t want anything else. I wanted Manchester United and that’s what I did.”
Sporting Lisbon’s Director of Football Hugo Viana To Manchester City
Before Amorim’s appointment as Manchester United boss was confirmed, Sporting Lisbon’s Hugo Viana was announced a fortnight ago as Manchester City’s director of football.
Viana would replace Txiki Begiristain at Manchester City at the expiration of the 2024/25 season.
Ruben Amorim
Manchester United confirmed the appointment of Amorim on November 1, 2024, following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag on October 28, 2024.
Ruben Amorim will assume his position as boss of the Old Trafford side on November 11, 2024.
The former SC Braga boss was in the technical area when Sporting Lisbon smashed Estrela da Amadora 5-1 on Friday, November 1, 2024, in a matchday Liga Portugal fixture.
Amorim will also be in charge of Sporting Lisbon’s clash with Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, before ending his spell with the club on November 10, 2024, with an away game against former club Braga.
Sporting Lisbon Against Manchester City
Ruben Amorim will be keen on giving a good impression against the Cityzens, with fans across the world prepared to see the Portuguese’s tactical approach against Pep Guardiola’s lieutenants.
Given the game would be his last home match in charge of Sporting Lisbon, Amorim will be looking to secure a favorable result for the fans.
Sporting Lisbon
Sporting Lisbon are unbeaten under Amorim this campaign, having played 15 matches, drawing 1 and winning 14.
They occupy the summit of Liga Portugal with 30 points from 10 matches, scoring 35 goals and conceding just 3 goals.
In the UEFA Champions League, Sporting Lisbon sit in the 8th spot with 7 points and are in a favorable position to qualify for the knockout phase.
Fascinatingly, they are still in the Portugal Cup, and they can be accommodating dreams of claiming the treble (Liga Portugal, Taca de Portugal, and UEFA Champions League).
Ruben Amorim at Sporting Lisbon
Ruben Amorim became manager of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, and he has led the Portuguese club to 2 Primeira Liga titles, 2 Taça da Liga, and 1 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira.
The 39-year-old has in the past managed teams like SC Braga and Casa Pia. He is understood to be a fan of Benfica.