Manchester United keen on Ruben Amorim after Erik ten Hag axed
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Sporting Lisbon's Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim is reportedly the most likely candidate to become the next Manchester United manager.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – Manchester United have expressed interest in hiring Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim as their new manager and are prepared to pay €10 million (S$14.3 million) to activate his release clause, the Portuguese club said on Oct 29, a day after Erik ten Hag was sacked.
The Dutchman’s time finally ran out, with United sitting a lowly 14th in the English Premier League table after they suffered a fourth defeat in nine league games at West Ham United on Oct 27.
Despite substantial dealings in the transfer market before this season, one of the world’s wealthiest clubs have won only one of their last eight games in all competitions.
Former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, a member of ten Hag’s coaching staff, was named interim boss and would be in charge when they host Leicester City in the League Cup fourth round on Oct 30.
Sporting confirmed on Oct 29 that United want Amorim, saying in a statement to the Lisbon stock exchange: “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.”
The 39-year-old Portuguese is considered one of Europe’s leading young coaches.
Sporting secured his services in March 2020, and he repaid them with a first title in 19 years in his first full season. In that campaign, Amorim led the club on a 32-match unbeaten run to claim the Portuguese League Cup and league title – a success they repeated last season.
Amorim was linked with the manager’s role at Liverpool following the departure of Jurgen Klopp in May, but Dutch coach Arne Slot headed to Anfield instead.
When asked about reports linking him to United on Oct 28, the former Portugal international was non-committal.
“I’m not going to talk about my future because if I say yes or no, I’ll have to comment (further). I’m very proud to be the coach of Sporting, that’s all,” he said ahead of their Portuguese League Cup match against Nacional.
If Amorim does join United, he will have to inherit many of ten Hag’s players.
The Dutchman was further backed in the transfer market this past summer with the signings of Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui, taking the total spent in his reign to over £600 million (S$1.03 billion), nearly half of which went on former Ajax Amsterdam players.
Yet early hope this season evaporated as Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur coasted to 3-0 victories at Old Trafford in September.
Former United captain Gary Neville said ten Hag had paid the price for an “unacceptable” league position.
“The big shock for me is how bad they’ve been with the new signings that have come in,” he told Sky Sports.
“The fact that they are 14th is unacceptable. You can’t be in 14th after nine or 10 games with the level of spend that’s occurred without being under significant pressure – and that’s what’s happened.”
Former England striker Alan Shearer said ten Hag had been “a dead man walking” as soon as it was revealed United had talked to other potential managers in the summer.
For all the 54-year-old’s faults, he oversaw just a small period of United’s more general decline since legendary former manager Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Since the Scot’s departure, five permanent managers have now been dismissed without United even challenging for the Premier League title – a trophy they won 13 times under Ferguson.
United captain Bruno Fernandes led the good wishes for ten Hag following his sacking.
“Thanks for everything boss! I appreciate the trust and the moments we shared together, I wish you all the best in the future,” said the Portuguese.
“Even knowing the last period hasn’t been great from all of us I hope you fans can keep with you the good things the manager has done for our club!”
Meanwhile, Brentford boss Thomas Frank, who is another of United’s managerial targets, said that he “feels for Erik”.
“He is a great coach and has a great career. He did a good job at Man United, two trophies in two years,” he said.
“At these big clubs, there are massive expectations but there has to be a reality check... you feel for guys who lose their jobs and I am sure Erik gave everything.” AFP, REUTERS
