Manchester United manager news LIVE: Ruben Amorim gives update after release clause triggered
Sporting CP have confirmed Manchester United are interested in appointing Amorim and are prepared to pay his release clause
Ruben Amorim is set to become Manchester United’s next manager, with Sporting Lisbon confirming that the Premier League club are prepared to pay a €10m (£8.3m) release clause for his services.
Talks between United and Sporting accelerated on Tuesday, with reports insisting the release clause has now been triggered, and the Portuguese coach could now be appointed in time to take charge of Sunday’s Premier League match against Chelsea.
Amorim wants the job and has agreed to be the club’s next manager after the Old Trafford hierarchy put the 39-year-old at the top of their list to replace Erik ten Hag.
“Manchester United have registered an interest in hiring Ruben Amorim and paying his €10m release clause,” a statement from Sporting said.
Amorim took charge of Sporting’s League Cup match against Nacional on Tuesday night, while Ruud van Nistelrooy will oversee United’s Carabao Cup tie against Leicester City on Wednesday.
Follow all the latest news and updates below as United close in on their new manager:
Pep Guardiola has not feared losing his job since 2016/17
Pep Guardiola insists he “never had that feeling” about fear of losing his job since the first season in charge of Manchester City in 2016/17.
That season Guardiola's City finished third behind champions Chelsea. While Guardiola managed to reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup, the fourth round of the League Cup and the round of 16 in the Champions League.
Man Utd figures in Portugal to negotiate with Sporting over Ruben Amorim’s assistant coaches
Key figures from Manchester United are negotiating with Sporting in Portugal currently, reports Sky Sports.
The nature of those negotiations concern Ruben Amorim’s backroom staff and the prospect of them joining him at Old Trafford.
Carlos Fernandes, Adélio Cândido and Jorge Vital are among the key figures in Amorim’s team.
Pep Guardiola has no doubts about Ruben Amorim’s quality
“I have the feeling that if Man United is thinking about him [Ruben Amorim] it’s because he’s good,” adds Guardiola.
“United don’t appoint managers that don’t meet that level.
“All the managers they’ve had in the last seven years, we cannot say are not able to lead Man United...”
Ruben Amorim’s short-term timeline for Sporting and Man Utd
The immediate future for Ruben Amorim centres around a few games.
Sporting face Estrela da Amadora on Friday night in the Primeira Liga.
This Sunday Manchester United host Chelsea, which could be his first game in charge of the Red Devils.
Next week Sporting travel to Manchester... to face Man City in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
While Manchester United host PAOK next Thursday at Old Trafford, which could also be his first game in charge should negotiations rumble on beyond this week.
Ruben Amorim’s assistant coaches in line to join him at Manchester United
Amorim’s assistants linked with following him from Sporting:
- Carlos Fernandes (below), assistant manager
- Adélio Cândido, assistant manager
- Jorge Vital, goalkeeping coach
Pep Guardiola lauds Ruben Amorim’s rise and recalls experience of facing Sporting manager
Pep Guardiola on Ruben Amorim’s rapid rise in football: “What's the problem? I started in Barcelona at 37 from the fourth division. Knowledge is knowledge.
“If you're able, it doesn’t matter. For that reason, Lamine Yamal could not play at 17, right? He has to wait till 24...
“The experience against Ruben’s Sporting one or two seasons ago was really, really good. I spoke with Matheus Nunes and he spoke highly. This season he’s unbeaten winning all of the games in the league, and the Champions League has the same points with us...”
Sporting Lisbon push for extra compensation for Ruben Amorim’s assistant coaches
Manchester United could face more expenses to prize Ruben Amorim away from Sporting Lisbon, the Independent understands.
On top of the £8.3m release clause, Sporting are pushing for more compensation for Amorim’s assistant coaches, with as much as £4.1m more demanded.
It would also allow Amorim to waive a 30-day notice period, reports in Portugal add.
Ruben Amorim’s stance after Sporting’s League Cup win Tuesday night
“We have to wait a little bit more to explain what I need to explain, then it will be very clear,” says Ruben Amorim.
“Yes, it is my decision, I will tell everything, we have to wait. I don’t know [how long].”
Pushed over whether he will be at Old Trafford for Man Utd v Chelsea on Sunday, Amorim maintains he will still be in Portugal.
“I will be here [at Sporting].”
Definitely?
“I don’t know.”
Pep Guardiola offers Erik ten Hag support after Man Utd sacking
Pep Guardiola has offered to give Erik ten Hag advice or support following his sacking by Manchester United.
“Any time! Seriously! Always we are open, but I think it’s not going to happen,” Guardiola said.
“But I know his agent a little bit, so the relation is there, no problem for me, for us...”
Bruno Fernandes on Ruben Amorim’s potential as a manager
Bruno Fernandes spoke glowingly last year about Ruben Amorim and his potential as a manager.
The Sporting boss has been tipped to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United and the Portuguese midfielder’s remarks from last year suggest he will be pleased with the potential appointment.
“I think all the qualities are there to be able to succeed in English, French, or Spanish football,” Fernandes told SportTV last year.
“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.”
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