New Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim certainly didn’t shy away from the fact that he had not planned to leave Sporting in the midst of their Primeira Liga title defence.
But once Ineos decided to swing the axe on Erik ten Hag – thus forcing Manchester United into the market for a new manager far earlier than they would have liked – Ruben Amorim was forced into a very difficult decision months ahead of schedule.
Fortunately for the Red Devils, this was an opportunity Amorim simply couldn’t turn down.
That wasn’t quite the case regarding Sebastien Hoeness, however. The man who guided Stuttgart to second place in the Bundesliga last term proving far harder to convince when contacted by the Old Trafford outfit.
According to Bild, Hoeness was ‘flattered’ by Man United’s interest but ‘politely declined’ the chance to discuss terms. And, flash forward to late-November, a man who, like Ten Hag, started out with Bayern Munich’s reserves has opened up on his decision to reject some of Europe’s great institutions in order to continue his story at the Mercedes Benz Arena.
Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness explains Manchester United snub
“I heard there was interest from a number of clubs,” Hoeness tells Sport BILD when quizzed on the pursuits of both Man United and a pre-Enzo Maresca Chelsea side. “It wasn’t really surprising after the season we had.
“But I had decided to stay in Stuttgart a few months earlier. That’s why there were no talks from my side. It was clear to me that I wanted to develop and build something at VfB this season.
“I only want to talk about VfB and not about other teams. At the moment, I’m only concerned with how we can make this season as good as possible and how we can develop as a team. I can’t do anything else.
“I don’t want to get involved in the speculation.”
Now 11th in the table with only three league wins to their name, Stuttgart are struggling to emulate the remarkable success story of last season following the departures of star defender Waldemar Anton and top scorer Serhou Guirassy to Borussia Dortmund.
Stuttgart stunned Juventus and outplayed Real Madrid
Stuttgart have saved their best football for the Champions League, however, a youthful side going head to head with some bonafide A-listers and more than holding their own.
Hoeness’ side hammered Juventus in Turin – the eventual 1-0 scoreline certainly flattering the Italian giants rather than their dominant visitors – while Stuttgart also ran rings around Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu before being undone by Los Blancos’ supreme star power.
Back at Man United, meanwhile, the Ruben Amorim era begins on Sunday with the Red Devils travelling to Ipswich Town.
Amorim took training at Carrington for the first time this week. The former Portugal international is expected to field his 3-4-2-1 system from day one amid claims that Amad Diallo and Luke Shaw could be options for the wing-back roles when fully fit.
According to The Sun, the Man United players have been ‘blown away’ by Amorim’s self-confidence since arriving in England’s north west; the 39-year-old carrying himself with a breezy swagger which Erik ten Hag never really mastered.
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