Rúben Amorim: Sporting confirm Man United interest in coach

Manchester United’s bid to hire Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim has moved closer with the Portuguese club informing the country’s financial regulator that the Premier League team have confirmed their willingness to pay Amorim’s €10 million ($10.79m) release clause.

Amorim is due to take charge of Sporting in a Taca da Liga tie against Nacional at Estadio Jose Alvalade on Tuesday night, but it could be the 39-year-old’s final game as coach following confirmation of United’s move.

Due to their listing on the stock market, Portuguese champions Sporting have an obligation to inform the CMVM — Portugal’s financial regulator — of any significant impact on the club’s business and they have this afternoon released a statement outlining United’s offer for Amorim.

The statement to the CMVM said: “Sporting comes, under the terms and for the purpose of fulfilling the information obligation arising from the provisions of Article 17.º of Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014, of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 16, inform the market in the following terms: “1. Manchester United FC expressed interest in hiring coach Rúben Amorim, and the Board of Directors of Sporting SAD referred to the terms and conditions provided for in the employment contract in force between the Company and the coach, specifically for the respective termination clause and for the amount of Euro 10,000,000.00;

“2. Manchester United FC expressed interest in paying Sporting SAD the amount of said clause.”

While it is unclear at this stage whether Amorim has accepted the challenge of succeeding Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, sources told ESPN that United are determined to seal a deal for the highly-rated coach before Sunday’s Premier League clash against Chelsea.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, hired as assistant manager to Ten Hag during the summer, has been named as interim head coach by United until a permanent appointment is made and the former United and Real Madrid forward will be in charge for the  Carabao Cup tie against Leicester City on Wednesday at Old Trafford.

However, it is likely that the Leicester game will be Van Nistelrooy’s only fixture in charge if talks with Sporting and Amorim continue to move at pace.

Amorim has guided Sporting to two league titles since arriving at the club from Braga in 2020. Prior to Amorim’s appointment, Sporting had endured a 19-year wait to end their title drought.

The former Portugal midfielder was considered by Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and West Ham for their vacant managerial roles last season before committing his future to Sporting at the end of last season.

However, reports in Portugal have said that Sporting are now preparing for Amorim’s departure this week by lining up the club’s B-team coach João Pereira to take charge for the rest of the season.

Amorim has drawn praise for his time at Sporting from United captain Bruno Fernandes.

“Since coach Amorim arrived to Sporting they became one of the teams that play better and most consistent football. I think the signings have been right, and they are in a very good moment. They’ve won last year and this season have started leading in the standings. It’s a very well-prepared team,” he said at a news conference with Portugal earlier this month.

“Regarding Mr. Amorim, I spoke about him several times and I said that at this moment he is well prepared because it is not easy to win titles at Sporting. Sporting was 20 years without winning trophies. Mr. Amorim came and won two and that proves his work has been good.

“Now, if he will be able to do the same in England or Spain or anywhere else? We’ll never know until he gets there but I’m sure that Mr. Amorim qualities are there in everyone’s eyes.”