This is not the first time, and certainly not the last, that the future of this Manchester United-linked manager has been cast into doubt.
Not that the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of this two-time league champion is proving to be much of a distraction at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
According to reports, Manchester United are likely to consider Ruben Amorim should Ineos’ patience finally run out with Erik ten Hag.
Amorim guided Sporting Lisbon to an eighth successive Primeira Liga victory earlier this month – the first manager to do so in the 21st century – before a 2-0 win over Sturm Graz kept the Portuguese giants within two points of Aston Villa in the Champions League table.
After ending Sporting’s two-decade long wait for a league title in 2021 and then repeating the feat in 2024, a one-time hipster favourite is hitting the mainstream.
Sporting president Federico Varandas is losing little sleep, however.
Despite those ongoing Man United rumours, and with Man City’s name propelled into the mix with Sporting director Hugo Viana bound for the Etihad, the Lions of Lisbon remain fixed firmly on the present.
Sporting president reacts to Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim links
“I’ve been hearing this question for over four years,” Varandas sighs, speaking to reporters this week.
“I think this should make all Sporting fans and even the entire media proud; one of the best coaches in the world has been at Sporting for five years.
“That’s fantastic.
“In a structure where all the pieces are important, [the coach] is the most important piece of that structure.
“Today, the three of us [Varandas, Viana and Amorim] have a friendly relationship,” the president adds. “Today, it is a fact that Ruben Amorim has a contract with Sporting until 2026. And today, it is a fact that Hugo Viana will be the sporting director of Manchester City next year.
“For me, that is not an issue. I live off what can I control.”
Amorim was on the radars of Liverpool and Chelsea over the summer. That is, before Chelsea brought in Enzo Maresca to replace the now-USA boss Mauricio Pochettino, and before Liverpool handed the reigns to Arne Slot.
Amorim has remained loyal to Sporting even as interest rises from Europe’s major leagues. He held talks with West Ham in London after the departure of David Moyes before apologising and committing his future to the Lisbon giants.
Bruno Fernandes is a big fan of potential Erik ten Hag replacement
Still only 39 years of age, Amorim is clearly in no rush.
Though Man United captain Bruno Fernandes feels there will be no limits to Amorim’s success when the time finally comes to leave Sporting behind.
“If he takes the next step, I think all the qualities are there to be able to succeed in English, French, or Spanish football,” former Sporting talisman Bruno told reporters a few months ago.
“Obviously, we know that the Premier League is probably the most desired. The qualities [to succeed in England] are there and he has everything to take the next step, in my opinion.”
Man United face Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in their third Europa League match of the campaign on Thursday.
Ten Hag is under pressure to claim a belated first win of the tournament following draws with FC Twente and Porto.
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