Ruben Amorim looks set to be the next man up to try and turn around the Manchester United ship as he inches closer to the managerial job.
As per reports, ,Amorim has ‘verbally agreed’ to become the next Man Utd manager and with that, the last remnant of the Glazer era (Erik ten Hag), will be replaced by Ineos’ own man.
Amorim will walk into Carrington with many familiar faces. Amorim has played before with one Man Utd star, while captain Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot are his compatriots.
The Portuguese connection is strong in this current Man Utd squad and their previous dealing with Portuguese clubs hasn’t been half bad!
This one could be right alongside the successful ones if the Portuguese press’ reaction to this news is anything to go by…
A move out of nowhere
This move has come out of nowhere as until the morning of October 28, it looked like Amorim was an outside candidate at best.
That is because he was reportedly reluctant to leave Sporting in the middle of the season, especially with his team sitting top of the table, having all nine of their games so far.
However, a meeting with Sir Dave Brailsford turned Amorim’s head and United are about to get one of Europe’s most exciting and forward-thinking coaches.
An unbeaten league season with Sporting Lisbon is just the tip of the achievements he has managed at the club after rebuilding them into the giant that they used to be.
It is probably that “rebuilding into a giant” that has impressed Ineos so much because he will have to do the same here, just on a massive scale.
Portuguese media clearly think he’s got what it takes to live up to the challenge, with some lofty comparisons already flowing in.
Portuguese media reacts to Amorim to Man Utd
It is not often good for a potential Man Utd manager to be compared to a Liverpool manager but the comparison in this case if flattering!
Abola says that for United, Amorim could be “a sort of Jurgen Klopp”, likening his charisma and way of carrying himself to the German.
Abola said: “For Manchester United, Rúben Amorim could be a sort of Jurgen Klopp, who, as a young man with new ideas and an uncomplicated speech, made a name for himself at Liverpool , something the Red Devils are now looking for.”
Record went ballistic at the news with some strong words: “The earthquake caused by Ten Hag’s sacking in Manchester is sending shockwaves through Alvalade [Sporting’s stadium].”
O Jogo said: “Manchester United have launched a lightning attack to bring Rúben Amorim to Old Trafford as soon as possible, paying Sporting’s €10 million release clause if necessary.
“Still, considering the excellent relationship he has built with Sporting, namely with president Frederico Varandas – as well as Hugo Viana, who will leave at the end of the season for Manchester City -, Rúben Amorim does not intend to leave the club in a bad light.”
Another piece on Abola said “history is repeating itself” with a fallen giant seeking Amorim’s help to revive themselves.
It said: “There are too many similarities between two crucial moments for Amorim and Sporting. The Lions club was a club with problems, full of doubts, with its greatness in doubt when Amorim arrived there. Coming from a stable club, by the way, this raised the question: why would the coach swap the stability of a rapidly growing SC Braga for Sporting? Because Sporting is Sporting, it had more power.
“History is almost repeating itself, with United pushing to take the coach who once again finds himself wanting a bigger club.”
Leonino covered Peter Schmeichel’s comments which backed Amorim for success at Old Trafford, saying “he is a great candidate”.
How great a candidate he is for United remains to be seen but the early signs and the panic in Sporting points to the fact that Ineos have pulled off a coup here.
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