Manchester United is actively pursuing Ruben Amorim, the head coach of Sporting Lisbon, after the club parted ways with Erik Ten Hag. The decision came after a disappointing season start, highlighted by a 2-1 loss to West Ham, leaving United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League standings.
Sporting Lisbon confirmed this interest in a public statement made to the Lisbon stock exchange on October 29, 2024. The Portuguese club acknowledged that Manchester United is prepared to meet Amorim’s release clause, which is set at 10 million euros (approximately £8.3 million or $10.8 million).
The statement read, “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.”
Ruben Amorim, at 39 years old, has quickly become one of the most respected young coaches in Europe. He has been at the helm of Sporting since March 2020 and has led the team to two Portuguese league titles during his tenure.
Despite the mounting speculation about his potential move to Manchester United, Amorim has chosen to remain focused on his current role. When asked about the rumors prior to a League Cup match against Nacional, he stated, “I’m not going to talk about my future. I’m very proud to be the coach of Sporting Lisbon.”
In the wake of Ten Hag’s sacking, former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been appointed as the interim manager. However, the primary focus appears to be on securing Amorim, who many believe could revive United’s fortunes.
Despite substantial investments in player transfers during the summer, Manchester United has only secured one victory in their last eight matches across all competitions.
Amorim’s coaching style has been praised by peers in the industry. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler commented on the quality of football played by Amorim’s teams, noting, “He plays incredible football. I’m not in a position to give him advice; if he needs advice, he can probably ask Pep (Guardiola) or Jurgen Klopp.”
The coaching situation at Manchester United has been unstable, with Ten Hag facing scrutiny throughout his tenure. After an internal review at the end of last season, he retained his position despite finishing eighth in the league, even though he had previously guided the team to victory in the FA Cup. The club has not won the Premier League since 2013, marking a significant decline since the era of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Over the past decade, five full-time managers have come and gone, with Ten Hag being the latest casualty of this ongoing struggle. His defensive record included leading the team to two trophies during his two full seasons, but injuries to key players and underwhelming performances from expensive signings have contributed to his downfall. United’s recent matches have been disappointing, with losses at home against rivals Liverpool and Tottenham, further complicating the club’s quest for improvement.
