Manchester United target Amorim says ‘nothing decided yet’

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Ruben Amorim stated on Tuesday that “nothing is decided yet” following reports that Manchester United has identified him as their top target to succeed the recently sacked manager Erik ten Hag.

United terminated Ten Hag’s two-year tenure on Monday after a 2-1 loss to West Ham left the club languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, despite being one of the richest clubs in the world.

Amorim quickly emerged as the leading candidate for the position, with a statement from Sporting indicating that United is prepared to activate his €10 million (£8.3 million, $10.8 million) release clause.

After Sporting’s League Cup victory over Nacional on Tuesday night, the 39-year-old coach was cautious when asked if this would be his final match with the Portuguese club.

“Nobody knows whether this was my farewell match. Nothing is decided yet,” the Portuguese coach said, reported by sports daily A Bola.

Despite spending heavily in the transfer market in the summer, United have won one of their last eight games in all competitions.

Former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been named interim boss but United appear to be concentrating on Amorim, who is considered one of Europe’s leading young coaches.

He has won two Portuguese titles with Sporting since joining the club in March 2020.

Amorim had dismissed the speculation when quizzed on Monday ahead of the League Cup match.

“I’m not going to talk about my future,” he said. “I’m very proud to be the coach of Sporting Lisbon.”

– ‘Incredible football’ –

Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler, a young manager already making his way in the Premier League, was asked Tuesday what advice he’d give Amorim should he leave Portugal for Old Trafford.

“Thirty-nine and he’s eight years older than me,” said Hurzeler. “He’s already achieved great things in Portugal. I’ve seen some games of him, he plays incredible football.”

Amorim was previously linked to the managerial position at Liverpool following Jurgen Klopp’s departure this year, but Dutch coach Arne Slot ultimately took over at Anfield.

Ten Hag’s role, at 54 years old, had been under scrutiny after United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe expressed interest in other managers but decided to keep him following an internal review at the end of last season.

Despite finishing eighth in the league, Ten Hag led the team to an FA Cup victory, notably defeating Manchester City.

However, United, who last claimed the Premier League title in 2013, has shown little improvement this season.

The former Ajax coach, who joined United in May 2022, staunchly defended his record, asserting that he deserved respect for winning two trophies in his two full seasons. The club ended a six-year trophy drought by defeating Newcastle in the 2023 League Cup final.

Nonetheless, in his second season, injuries to key players, the underperformance of high-profile signings like Brazilian Antony, and a failure to establish a coherent playing style contributed to his downfall.

United was eliminated from the Champions League during the group stage and experienced a series of defeats at Old Trafford last season.

Ten Hag received significant backing in the transfer market, with over £600 million ($778 million) spent, nearly half of which went on former Ajax players.

However, early optimism this season faded as Liverpool and Tottenham secured easy victories at Old Trafford in September.

In reality, Ten Hag’s tenure only marked a brief moment in the broader decline of United since legendary manager Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 after leading the club to its 20th English championship. Since then, five full-time managers have come and gone.

In a post-match interview on Sunday, ahead of United’s League Cup tie against Leicester on Wednesday, Ten Hag suggested that winning a trophy in his third season would define it as a success.

“Definitely, it’s about trophies,” he replied in comments which were embargoed until Tuesday.

“If you win a trophy in pro football, that is most important because that is what the fans expect and what we expect, to win a trophy.”