Manchester United are reportedly closing in on their top managerial target Ruben Amorim, even though the Sporting Lisbon coach said “nothing is decided yet.”.
Ten Hag’s two-year tenure as manager of United ended Monday after the team lost 2-1 to West Ham, dropping them to 14th place in the Premier League.Even though Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim stated that “nothing is decided yet” regarding his replacement of fired Erik ten Hag, Manchester United is reportedly getting closer to their top managerial target. Behind the scenes, 39-year-old Amorim seems to be United’s top pick to take over the hot seat as they get ready for their first League Cup match since they fired Ten Hag on Wednesday against Leicester at Old Trafford. Following a 2-1 loss to West Ham, United fell to 14th place in the Premier League, ending Ten Hag’s two-year tenure as manager on Monday.
Amorim quickly emerged as the leading contender to succeed the Dutchman and Sporting issued a statement to the Lisbon stock exchange on Tuesday confirming United were willing to meet his 10-million-euro ($10.8 million) release clause.
Sky Sports on Wednesday quoted a source at Sporting saying Amorim’s move at Old Trafford was a “done deal,” but the club remained tight-lipped.
When asked if Tuesday’s League Cup victory over Nacional was his final game with Sporting, Amorim remained reticent.
“No one is certain if this was my final match. Nothing is decided yet,” he said.
Ten Hag paid the price for United’s dismal start to the season, even though he made significant summer transfer purchases.
Out of their last eight games across all competitions, they have only won one.
Amorim, who is regarded as one of Europe’s top young coaches, is reportedly the frontrunner to take over permanently after United appointed Ruud van Nistelrooy as interim manager.
Since joining Sporting in March 2020, the former Portugal international midfielder has won two Portuguese championships.
He was briefly linked with the manager’s role at Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp announced he was leaving and went as far as holding talks with West Ham this year before they appointed former Spain coach Julen Lopetegui.
‘Age doesn’t matter’.”
If United were to hire Amorim, he would be among the Premier League’s youngest managers.
Amorim’s age was not a factor, according to Pep Guardiola,who has led United’s neighbours, Manchester City, who are backed by the United Arab Emirates, to an unprecedented four consecutive Premier League titles
“Why is it a problem?” asked Guardiola, the city manager. “I entered the fourth division at the age of 37 and started at Barcelona.
“Knowledge is just that. It does not matter if you can… Talent is what matters. Age is irrelevant if you are good,” the Spaniard continued.
Ten Hag’s departure “saddened” Van Nistelrooy, who will be in charge against Leicester, according to the matchday program.
“A great honour to manage the club I love for however long I am asked to do so,” the former United forward continued.
Whoever succeeds Ten Hag as United’s manager will inherit a team that was largely put together by Ten Hag and includes several players who have proven to be expensive buses,
The most glaring example is Antony, the Brazilian forward signed for nearly £90 million from Ten Hag’s former club Ajax in 2022, who has scored just 12 goals in 87 appearances.
After United finished eighth in the league but shocked Manchester City to win the FA Cup, Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of the team, evaluated Ten Hag’s development in the summer.
Despite reportedly speaking with other possible managers, the club chose to keep Ten Hag on board and gave him millions to acquire new players.
However, United, who last won the Premier League in 2013, have not improved much this season, which is why Ten Hag was fired.
In his last days as manager, the former Ajax coach, who joined United in May 2022, claimed he should be respected for winning the FA Cup the following year and the League Cup in 2023.
Ten Hag stated prior to the Leicester game that he believed winning a trophy in his third season would make it a success in remarks that were prohibited until Tuesday.
He stated, “It is definitely about trophies.” “In professional football, winning a trophy is the most important thing because that is what we and the fans expect.”
Five full-time managers have come and gone at Old Trafford since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 after leading United to a record 20th league title.