Manchester United have opened talks to appoint Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim as their new manager following Erik ten Hag;s dismissal earlier today, according to The Athletic.
The 39-year-old former Braga manager is reportedly open to the move despite his team sitting top of the Primeira Liga after winning their first nine league games.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will be in charge of the club while negotiations to hire Amorim continues.
United are prepared to trigger Amorim’s €10 million release clause, but it is unclear whether Sporting will let him go mid-season.
Amorim has rapidly emerged as one of Europe’s most promising young managers, leading Sporting to domestic success in recent years.
He first emerged at Braga, where they took the punt on him managing the senior team, a massive jump from the youth ranks. However, he stabilised them in the league and led them to the Taca de Portugal.
Sporting subsequently hired him, and the gamble paid off. He led the club to their first title in 19 years in his first full season and repeated the feat last term.
The former Benfica midfielder has also added two more cup titles and a Super Cup to his CV.
His reputation for developing young talent and implementing an attacking style of play aligns with United’s long-term vision.
He was previously linked to Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham United, but United have moved swiftly to secure his services.
Other underwhelming options such as Thomas Frank, Kieran McKenna, Graham Potter and Gareth Southgate were touted for the role, but United appear to have loftier ambitions.
Amorim has been dubbed a young Jose Mourinho because of his achievements, but the similarities stop there.
He does not cause division like the former Man United boss, and his approach is more attacking.
