Ruben Amorim insisted “nothing has yet been decided” as Man Utd and Sporting remain in advanced negotiations for the Portuguese manager.
Sporting confirmed to the Portuguese stock exchange on Tuesday that United are willing to meet Amorim’s release clause after making him the number one choice to replace Erik ten Hag, who was sacked on Monday.
Media flocked to Portugal for what could be the 39-year-old’s last game in charge as Sporting beat Nacional 3-1 in the Portuguese League Cup quarter-final to probe Amorim on his potential move to Old Trafford.
But Amorim insists he remains focused “on wanting Sporting to become double winners of the league and cup. This doesn’t change. I have nothing new to say at this moment”.
He was quoted as telling broadcast media: “Nothing is decided yet. I don’t know if it’s the farewell game or not.”
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Gary Cotterill explains what Ruben Amorim said in his latest press conference after Sporting’s win over C.D. Nacional.
Speaking later at his press conference in Portuguese, Amorim said: “There was the club’s statement and that’s the only thing they have at the moment. There is interest from Manchester United, there is the payment of a clause and then, when I have something more concrete, I will tell you, because it is always my choice.
“When everything hasn’t been decided, one way or the other, there’s no point in talking much more, because otherwise we’ll create noise.
“I’m not going to say anything properly, because I don’t have anything useful to say. Just saying that I will take on whatever I want to do, as I have always done throughout my time as a player and even as a coach. Regarding the game, it was a strange game, a strange environment.”
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Ruben Amorim is heavily linked with a move to Manchester United but what can fans expect from the current Sporting boss.
When asked simply, “do you want to leave” by a journalist, Amorim replied: “We haven’t got to that part. The club talks to another club, is talking to another club, and then you take the next step with the coach.
“And whether I want to go or not, I’ll say later. That’s the decision we’re talking about here. I won’t say.”
Asked by Sky Sports News’ Gary Cotterill if the decision now lies with him, Amorim said: “Yes, [the only thing left] is my decision. I will tell everything. We have to wait.”
Amorim was unable to give a definitive timeline over how long that would take.
Sources insist an announcement on United’s new permanent manager is not imminent, but if a compensation package can be agreed Amorim could be in the dugout at Old Trafford for Sunday’s home game with Chelsea, live on Sky Sports.
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Asked by Sky Sports News‘ Cotterill if he would be in the dugout at Old Trafford for the game, Amorim said: “I will be here…”
Asked if that was for sure, Amorim added: “[Laughing] I don’t know!”
Before leaving, Amorim added: “I will explain everything. It will be very clear.”
A former Benfica and Portugal midfielder, Amorim retired as a player in 2017 and just two years later he took up his first managerial job at Braga.
He then joined Sporting in March 2020 where he has established himself as one of Europe’s most sought-after young coaches, twice guiding the club to the league title.
He has also won the Taca da Liga – the Portuguese League Cup – on three occasions, twice with Sporting and once with Braga.
Amorim did admit that if he was to leave, his players would be disappointed with him leaving halfway through a season.
He said: “Without a doubt, without a doubt. But I don’t interfere in the players’ lives. Now I talk to the players, because I’m Sporting coach. I want to do well for the group.
“I talked to the board about how we are going to manage the squad. But without a doubt my players will be, if I leave, they will be disappointed in me and sad with me. But it’s part of life.
“That happened with me already in Braga. When I came from Braga, from Braga’s stability to here, that happened a little.
And they were a little disappointed, because they really believed that we were building something special. But then things happen that change people’s lives. And so, it’s a difficult situation.
“I can’t give you more than that. I understand that the players are even disappointed, sad. But I have to live with it. And the important thing is that we reach the end and know how to explain everything.
“Whether people understand it or not, the important thing is to come forward and explain it. And that’s what I’m going to do.”
‘Things got heated in press conference’
Sky Sports News’ Gary Cotterill in Lisbon:
“A big part of the being the Manchester United manager is being used to the spotlight in good times and bad times – and he is clearly good at that, speaking perfect English. He took 15 questions in Portuguese, some of it got heated, but he gave those journalists the same answers he gave me which is we’ll all have to wait before things become clear. He said it’s his decision as the clubs have agreed a deal if he wants to go.
“When I asked him whether or not he’d be in the dugout on Sunday at Old Trafford he said ‘I’ll be here’ and I said ‘are you sure’ and he smiled, replying ‘I don’t know.’
“So he was showing a little bit of humour there, giving quite a lot away.
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He’s a family man, not a 24/7 football man which could be an issue if he’s going to take the United job. He enjoys Portugal and his job here.
“Does he want to take on the challenge of Manchester United? Of course he does. He’s ambitious and there is big money involved. It would appeal to anyone’s ego to work for Manchester United. Things could move quite quickly.”
Why Sporting coach Amorim could be right for Man Utd
Sky Sports’ Adam Bate:
It has long been inevitable that Ruben Amorim would take one of Europe’s biggest jobs. Winning the title with Sporting in 2021 at the age of 36 all but guaranteed that. Repeating the feat last season only underlined his ability as a coach.
Sporting recognised that this was a special talent very early, famously paying a huge release clause after his spectacular start at Braga. They bet on his tactical mind, his fierce commitment as a player, but more than anything on the power of his personality.
In conversation with a series of Portuguese coaches, some of whom have pitted their wits against Amorim in his native country, we will explore his rise, what it is that makes him so impressive as a coach, and, crucially, whether this can be translated into his next job.
Read Adam Bate’s Ruben Amorim analysis here.
Man Utd’s next six fixtures
- October 30: Leicester (h) 7.45pm, Carabao Cup – live on Sky Sports
- November 3: Chelsea (h) 4.30pm, Premier League – live on Sky Sports
- November 7: PAOK (h) 8pm, Europa League
- November 10: Leicester (h) 2pm, Premier League
- November 24: Ipswich (a) 4.30pm, Premier League – live on Sky Sports
- November 28: Bodo/Glimt (h) 8pm, Europa League
