After much anticipation, Manchester United officially announced Ruben Amorim as their new manager, replacing Erik ten Hag. The 39-year-old Portuguese coach from Sporting CP will join the team on November 11, with Ruud van Nistelrooy temporarily guiding United until then. Amorim’s contract with Manchester United extends until 2027, marking a new chapter for both the manager and the club.
Manchester United secured Amorim by paying Sporting a 10 million euro release fee, along with an additional one million euros as compensation for the short notice period to activate his clause. This deal followed days of negotiation between the English club and Sporting CP.
Amorim’s trusted team members, Emanuel Ferro, Adelio Candido, Carlos Fernandes, Jorge Vital, and sports scientist Paulo Barreira, will accompany him to Manchester. However, they will join only after Sporting’s upcoming games, allowing Amorim to finish matches against Estrela da Amadora, Manchester City in the Champions League, and SC Braga. It is expected that Joao Pereira, the current coach of Sporting’s B team, will succeed Amorim in Lisbon.
Amorim’s Coaching Journey
This move to Manchester United is Amorim’s first experience as a coach outside of Portugal. A former player for clubs like Belenenses, Benfica, and SC Braga, Amorim began his managerial career at Casa Pia in 2018. He quickly made an impact at SC Braga in the 2019/20 season before moving to Sporting CP, where he has won two league titles, two domestic cups, and a Super Cup.
The Challenge Ahead at Manchester United
Amorim will take charge of a club facing a difficult season. Manchester United has struggled since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013, and this season is no exception. Currently, the team sits in 14th place in the Premier League, with only 11 points, trailing Manchester City by 12. Their Europa League campaign has also been underwhelming, with only three points from three draws, though they have progressed to the League Cup quarter-finals.
Amorim’s first match as United’s manager will be an away game against Ipswich Town in the league, followed by his Old Trafford debut on November 28 in a Europa League match against Bodo/Glimt.
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