Manchester United have expressed interest in appointing Sporting Lisbon manager, Ruben Amorim, as their new head coach and are prepared to meet his €10 million (£8.3 million) release clause, according to a statement from the Portuguese club.
Following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag on Monday, the Red Devils are searching for a new manager. In a formal statement to Portugal’s financial regulator, CMVM, Sporting disclosed, “Manchester United have shown interest in hiring coach Ruben Amorim and have indicated their willingness to pay the €10 million release clause.”
Amorim, 39, is highly regarded in European football, having guided Sporting to two Portuguese league titles, including their first in 19 years, since taking charge in 2020. His success at Sporting has made him one of the most sought-after managers in the game.
Manchester United, however, has refrained from commenting on the reports regarding their pursuit of Amorim.
The managerial change comes after a tough spell for United, with Ten Hag’s tenure ending in the wake of a 2-1 loss to West Ham on Sunday, leaving the club in 14th place in the Premier League standings, with only three wins in their first nine matches. Furthermore, United’s Europa League campaign has been equally challenging, with the team languishing in 21st place out of 36 teams after three consecutive draws.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who joined Manchester United as Ten Hag’s assistant last summer, has been named interim manager and will lead the team in their Carabao Cup match against Leicester City on Wednesday. United’s next Premier League fixture is scheduled for Sunday at Old Trafford, where they will face Chelsea.
When asked about the Manchester United rumors during a press conference on Monday, Amorim acknowledged he had anticipated the question but declined to elaborate, saying he was not prepared to discuss the situation.
Amorim, whose current contract with Sporting runs until June 2026, previously held talks with West Ham earlier in April. However, the discussions did not result in an agreement, and the manager later apologized to Sporting for engaging in those talks without the club’s approval.
