Manchester United have finalised a deal with Sporting Lisbon to appoint Ruben Amorim as their new head coach after the sacking of Erik Ten Hag. This has been confirmed by Fabrizio Romano and The New York times, the official confirmation didn’t come yet from the club.
According to the reports, as the part of the agreement, Amorim will remain with Sporting for their next three games, including a Champions League clash against Manchester City on Tuesday and a face-off with Braga on November 10. He is expected to take over United’s dugout for the first time during the away game against Ipswich Town on November 24.
Sporting Lisbon to retain Amorim
Sporting Lisbon was keen on holding onto Amorim for this important period in their season, and United respected the club’s position as well as Amorim’s preference for a respectful exit mid-campaign. At 39, Amorim’s stature in Portuguese football and Sporting’s high regard for him played a significant role in United’s acceptance of these terms.
Release clause negotiation
Amorim’s contract includes a release clause set at €10 million (£8.4 million), with a 30-day notice period. United, aiming to secure his services sooner during the international break, have agreed to pay an additional €1 million. Sporting, however, had initially demanded an extra €5 million for an immediate release. Discussions are ongoing, and sources indicate further talks around compensation for key members of Amorim’s coaching staff—first-team coaches Emanuel Ferro, Adelio Candido, Carlos Fernandes, goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital, and sports scientist Paulo Barreira—are still under negotiation.
Amorim’s vision of joining Manchester United
After four years at Sporting, Amorim is keen on an amicable departure, recognising his connection with the club and its supporters, highlighted by two league title wins. Manchester United respects this transition, with Ruud van Nistelrooy stepping up as interim manager. Van Nistelrooy will guide United through four matches, including a Premier League clash with Chelsea, a Europa League tie with PAOK, and two games against Leicester City (in the Carabao Cup and Premier League).
Future of Van Nistelrooy at Manchester United
While Van Nistelrooy’s long-term role at United remains uncertain, he is open to supporting Amorim in any capacity once the latter takes charge. This brief stint provides Van Nistelrooy with valuable experience, enhancing his managerial CV and offering him an opportunity to contribute significantly to United’s season.
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