Ruben Amorim revealed that Manchester United approached him with a “now or never” offer, tasking him with the challenge of returning the club to the top of English and European football midway through the season.
The 39-year-old Sporting Lisbon coach quickly emerged as the leading candidate for the role after Erik ten Hag was dismissed on Monday due to a poor start to the season.
Amorim has signed a contract through 2027 and will officially join United on November 11, becoming the sixth permanent manager since Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
In his first public comments since accepting the role, Amorim described the past few days as a whirlwind experience.
“The only question I made was to go at the end of the season,” Amorim said on Friday after Sporting thrashed Estrela 5-1 in the Portuguese league.
“But I was told it was now or never. I had three days to make the decision. That’s what I did.
“If I rejected it now, in six months I would not have got it. I didn’t want to regret making this decision.”
Amorim said he had been approached by other clubs, one of which had offered him “three times” the windfall he would enjoy at United.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will remain in temporary charge until Amorim arrives at Old Trafford.
United described Amorim as “one of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football”.
The Portuguese coach will oversee Sporting’s remaining matches before the international break, with the rout of Estrela the club’s 10th win in 10 league games this season.
Sporting host Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday and Amorim’s final game is set to be against former club Braga in the league on November 10.
He will take charge of United for the first time on November 24, away at relegation-threatened Ipswich.
Sporting said in a statement United would pay the Portuguese club 11 million euros ($12 million) over Amorim’s departure.
– Languishing –
Manchester United dismissed Erik ten Hag after a 2-1 loss to West Ham dropped them to 14th place in the Premier League.
The team has managed only three wins in nine league games, despite significant financial investments.
In the Europa League, the three-time European champions currently sit 21st out of 36 teams, having drawn all three matches this season.
Before their 5-2 victory over Leicester in the League Cup’s fourth round on Wednesday, United had won just once in their previous eight games across all competitions.
Ten Hag led United to League Cup and FA Cup victories during his two full seasons at Old Trafford, yet the club has not won the Premier League since 2013.
Sir Alex Ferguson, who managed United for nearly 27 years, claimed the Premier League title 13 times, but the 20-time English champions have yet to launch a serious title bid since his departure.
Former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy expressed his commitment on Thursday to helping revive United’s season and intends to remain with the club as he prepares the squad for a key match against Chelsea on Sunday.
– Rising star –
Amorim, a former Portugal midfielder, started his managerial career with then third-tier Casa Pia in 2018 before a switch to Braga.
Sporting swooped in 2020 and he won the club’s first league title in 19 years in his first full season in charge, repeating the feat last season.
Seen as one of the rising stars on the European coaching scene, he was linked with the manager’s role at Liverpool once Jurgen Klopp announced he was leaving but Dutch coach Arne Slot headed to Anfield instead.
Amorim held talks with West Ham this year before they appointed former Spain coach Julen Lopetegui to replace David Moyes.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand said Amorim has the “character and the charisma” that Ten Hag lacked.
Ten Hag meanwhile thanked United fans, saying “my dream was to bring more trophies to the cabinet”.
“Unfortunately that dream has come to an end,” he said in a statement.
“I wish all Manchester United fans nothing but success, trophies and glory.
“Your support and the warmth I received from everyone at the club helped me feel at home.”