Ruben Amorim has accepted the managerial position at Manchester United, tasked with restoring the club’s former glory after Erik ten Hag’s dismissal.
Ruben Amorim, the current coach of Sporting Lisbon, has officially accepted the managerial role at Manchester United, prompted by a pressing offer to restore the club’s status in both English and European football.
Following the sacking of Erik ten Hag after a lacklustre start to the season, the 39-year-old Amorim quickly emerged as a leading candidate for the job.
He has signed a contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2027, with his start date set for 11 November.
In his first public comments regarding his appointment, Amorim described the decision-making process as a whirlwind.
“The only question I asked was to go at the end of the season,” he explained after leading Sporting to a commanding 5-1 victory over Estrela in the Portuguese league.
“But I was told it was now or never. I had three days to make the decision. That’s what I did. If I rejected it now, in six months I would not have got it. I didn’t want to regret making this decision.”
Interestingly, Amorim revealed he had received offers from other clubs, one of which was reportedly “three times” the salary he would earn at United.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue in his interim role until Amorim takes the helm, with United praising him as “one of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football.”
Amorim is set to oversee Sporting’s upcoming fixtures, including a crucial Champions League match against Manchester City, before officially beginning his tenure at United.
The appointment comes as United struggles in the Premier League, currently sitting 14th after a disappointing season that has seen them secure only three wins from nine matches.
Their recent 2-1 defeat to West Ham prompted the club’s decision to part ways with Ten Hag, who had previously led the team to a League Cup and FA Cup victory.
Amorim’s experience in reviving Sporting, where he secured the club’s first league title in 19 years in his first full season, positions him as a beacon of hope for United fans.
He has been noted as one of the rising stars in European coaching, previously linked to other high-profile managerial roles, including Liverpool’s.
Amorim’s arrival is anticipated to bring a much-needed change in direction for a club that has not seen significant success since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
Former United striker Van Nistelrooy expressed his motivation to help turn the season around while preparing the team for a challenging fixture against Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag thanked United fans in his farewell statement, expressing his desire to bring trophies to the club and wishing them future success.