Manchester United are reportedly negotiating with Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim after sacking Erik ten Hag due to poor performance.
Manchester United are reportedly in negotiations with Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim to take over as their next manager following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.
This decision comes after a disastrous start to the season that has left the club languishing in 14th place in the Premier League.
Ten Hag’s position had become increasingly precarious, culminating in a 2-1 defeat to West Ham on Sunday, marking the team’s fourth loss in just nine league matches.
Despite significant investment in new players this season, one of the world’s wealthiest clubs has managed to win only one of their last eight games across all competitions.
In the wake of Ten Hag’s dismissal, former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, currently part of Ten Hag’s coaching staff, has been appointed as interim manager.
Multiple British media outlets report that Manchester United have held discussions with Amorim, the 39-year-old manager of Sporting Lisbon, who is regarded as one of Europe’s leading young coaching talents. United are reportedly prepared to activate Amorim’s release clause to secure his services.
Amorim was previously linked with the managerial position at Liverpool following Jurgen Klopp’s departure, but the role ultimately went to Dutch coach Arne Slot.
The decision to sack Ten Hag, who joined the club in May 2022, follows a tumultuous period in which the team showed little improvement despite a strong debut season.
Under Ten Hag, United won two trophies, including the 2023 League Cup, and finished third in the Premier League. However, his second season saw a series of disappointing performances, exacerbated by injuries to key players and a lack of impact from expensive signings like Brazilian forward Antony.
In a club statement released on Monday, Manchester United confirmed: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.”
The significant financial backing provided to Ten Hag in the transfer market, which included the signings of Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt, and Noussair Mazraoui, has led to mounting expectations. Yet, early optimism for the current season has dissipated, especially after demoralising defeats at home to rivals like Liverpool and Tottenham.
Former United captain Gary Neville reflected on Ten Hag’s sacking, describing the team’s league position as “unacceptable” given their level of investment.
He remarked, “You can’t be in 14th after nine or 10 games with the level of spend that’s occurred without being under significant pressure.”
Former defender Rio Ferdinand likened Ten Hag’s situation to “a boxer getting hit and knocked down in the third round and never recovering.”
Meanwhile, ex-England striker Alan Shearer stated that Ten Hag had been “a dead man walking” since reports emerged that the club was exploring other managerial options in the summer.
Ten Hag’s tenure adds to a troubled history for Manchester United since the retirement of legendary manager Alex Ferguson in 2013.
The club has now dismissed five permanent managers without mounting a serious challenge for the Premier League title—a trophy they won 13 times under Ferguson.