Jaap Stam has dropped his two cents on a key decision that Ruben Amorim will have to resolve as the new Manchester United manager early in his reign.
Manchester United paid Primeira Liga outfit Sporting CP a £9.25m fee after triggering the release clause in Ruben Amorim’s contract earlier this month.
Amorim, who has been widely praised for his work at Sporting CP, has inked a deal with United that will keep him at Old Trafford until June 2027.
The 39-year-old Portuguese manager will officially take up his post at the Premier League club on Monday after his departure from Sporting CP.
United had been without a permanent manager since last October after former Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag was sacked.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was assistant manager under Erik ten Hag, was installed as an interim manager amid the Red Devils’ pursuit of ex-Sporting CP boss Amorim.
Stam on Amorim and important decision
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s four-match spell as interim manager came to an end after Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Leicester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
The 48-year-old United legend’s long-term future at Old Trafford has been cast in uncertainty amid Ruben Amorim’s arrival at the Premier League club.
Speaking to the Metro, Jaap Stam has insisted that Van Nistelrooy would need a position “where he can make a difference” if he were to remain at United.
The former United and Netherlands defender added that he “can’t see” Van Nistelrooy being part of the management team led by Amorim.
“A man like Ruud, coming in as the legend he is, he needs to have a certain position within the club, where people look up to him and one where he can make a difference,” Stam said.
“Amorin will probably want to bring in his own assistants, people he has worked with over the years.
“If that happens, is Ruud becoming just another assistant, one of the coaches? Is that [the] right position for Ruud?
“I don’t think so, I would find that hard to believe, because Ruud has more in his locker than being just one of the coaches for Manchester United.
“It will be up to Ruud of course but I can’t see him doing that under new management.”
Amorim’s stance on Van Nistelrooy
Amorim is expected to bring his own coaching staff to Old Trafford, but the former Sporting CP manager has admitted that he will hold talks with Van Nistelrooy.
Speaking after Sporting CP’s 4-2 win on Sunday, he told reporters: “About a legend [Van Nistelrooy] of the club. He did a great job. I have to talk with him tomorrow [Monday].
Amorim added: “Then I will explain everything. I am very clear and I will tell you like it is. Let’s wait until tomorrow.”
The incoming United manager arrives at the Red Devils during the November break and will take charge of his first match later this month.
The Red Devils’ first fixture post-international break will be their Premier League clash against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on 24th November.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
