November 1 – Manchester United have got their man. Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim was appointed today as successor to Erik Ten Hag but will not join until November 11 at the start of the next international break.
Amorim’s first match in charge of United – their sixth permanent boss since Sir Alex Ferguson retired – will be on November 24 at Ipswich Town and he has signed a contract until June 2027, with the option of a further year.
United are reported to have paid Sporting an extra €1 million on top of his €10 million exit clause for an early release from his 30-day notice period.
Ten Hag was sacked earlier this week, replaced temporarily by his assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy who will continue to be in the dugout on an interim basis until Amorim joins – starting with Sunday’s home clash with Chelsea.
Amorim, just 39 and the first United boss to have the title of head coach rather than manager, established himself as one of Europe’s most sought-after young coaches after twice guiding Sporting to the Portuguese title in four years, ending the recent duopoly of Benfica and Porto.
“Ruben is one of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football,” United said in a brief statement.
Amorim’s task will be to revive the glories of a club that has fallen way behind the best in England and Europe – something that has been beyond the likes of every manager since Fergson.
Nearly three-quarters of the current Manchester United squad comprises players signed by Erik ten Hag but the side are languishing 14th in the English Premier League. They spent upwards of £200 million in the summer, meaning the new man is not likely to have much budget for any January signings and may have to wait for several months to stamp his mark on the team though an immediate change of formation looks inevitable to get the best out of an expensive but under-performing squad.
Ironically one of Amorim’s likely final games in charge of Sporting will be hosting Manchester City on Tuesday in the Champions League.
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