Manchester United have reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon to hire Ruben Amorim as their new head coach. As part of the deal, Amorim will remain with Sporting for their next three games against Manchester City and Braga. United reportedly accepted these terms in view of Amorim’s standing within Sporting and his wish to have a smooth mid-campaign exit.
While Amorim’s contract at Sporting has a €10million release clause, United have offered to pay an additional €1 million to bring him onboard sooner. Sporting were initially demanding an extra €5 million for an immediate release, but negotiations are still ongoing. Despite these confirmed details, Sporting insist that all aspects of the deal have not been finalised yet.
The discussions are not only about Amorim’s release but also around further compensation to allow for the departure of Amorim’s preferred coaching team. This team includes first-team coaches Emanuel Ferro, Adelio Candido, and Carlos Fernandes, as well as goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital and sports scientist Paulo Barreira. United’s chief executive Omar Berrada has been leading these talks on behalf of the club.
Amorim’s goal is to have a smooth transition from Sporting, a club he has been a part of for four years and has shared two league titles with. United seem open to facilitating this in light of Amorim’s demands and the club’s apparent ability to have their former striker, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, step in as an interim coach.
The Dutchman’s future in the club, despite being open to any role Amorim deems fit for him, is uncertain at this point. Having been in charge for a total of 4 games, this one-week stint as United’s boss could be a good addition to his CV in the future.
The move to hire Amorim is a result of United’s decision to relieve Erik ten Hag of his managerial duties. Amorim, who has won two consecutive league titles and boasts of an undefeated record this season in the Primeira Liga, is known for his unique 3-4-3 playing style and his ability to bring young talent into the first team. If the move goes through, it will be interesting to see how Amorim uses these attributes to shape the future of Manchester United.
