Manchester United Confirms Rúben Amorim As New Manager

After a series of ups and downs, it was officially announced this Friday that Ruben Amorim will succeed Erik ten Hag as the manager of Manchester United. He will move from Sporting to Old Trafford on November 11th, with Ruud van Nistelrooy stepping in to lead the team until then.

Now it’s official, Amorim is Manchester United’s new manager, with a contract signed until 2027.

Following several days of negotiations with Sporting, the English club activated the €10 million termination clause to bring the Portuguese coach from Alvalade, who will replace Ten Hag as the head of the British club.

Additionally, the agreement includes an extra €1 million in compensation for not adhering to the 30-day notice required to activate the clause.

Emanuel Ferro, Adelio Candido, Carlos Fernandes, and Jorge Vital, members of Amorim’s coaching staff, as well as Paulo Barreira, a sports scientist, are also traveling from Lisbon to Manchester.

The move, however, will only take place after the international break.

The coach will lead Sporting in matches against Estrela da Amadora (Liga Portugal), Manchester City (Champions League), and SC Braga (Liga Portugal) before stepping down. Joao Pereira, the current coach of Sporting’s B team, looks set to be the man chosen to succeed him in Alvalade.

Ruben Amorim’s coaching career and experiences

A former Portuguese international who played for Belenenses, Benfica, and SC Braga, Amorim will embark on his first coaching experience outside of Portugal. He began his coaching career at Casa Pia during the 2018/19 season, moved to SC Braga in 2019/20, and joined Sporting in 2020/21.

During his time at Alvalade, he secured two league titles, two domestic cups, and one Super Cup.

Sporting said in a statement, ” Sporting has reached an agreement with Manchester United FC regarding the terms and conditions of the departure of coach Ruben Amorim, in return for which MUFC will pay Sporting 11,000,000 euros.

“In addition, Sporting SAD will have a benefit of Euro 1,658,000, relating to the cancellation of credit rights, recorded as liabilities and contingent liabilities, as a result of the revocation and renegotiation of contracts relating to intermediation commissions.”

United said of their new manager, “Ruben is one of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football. Highly decorated as both a player and coach, his titles include winning the Primeira Liga twice in Portugal with Sporting CP; the first of which was the club’s first title in 19 years.”

Amorim expectations at Manchester United

At Old Trafford, Amorim will be stepping in to manage a storied club currently in turmoil. Manchester United has not won the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, and they have experienced a disappointing start to the current season.

Sitting 14th in the Premier League with 11 points (12 less than leaders Manchester City), United have just three points in the Europa League group stage (as a result of three draws) but have qualified for the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

Amorim’s debut is expected to come in the league against Ipswich Town away from home, with his first game at Old Trafford scheduled in the Europa League against Bodo/Glimt on November 28th.