Ruben Amorim in search of ‘new challenge’ at Man Utd but will leave Sporting ‘on good terms’
By James Ducker and Jason Burt
Ruben Amorim says he is ready for a “new challenge” and loves “everything” about the Premier League after effectively confirming he is about to become the new Manchester United head coach.
United have reached an agreement with Sporting over Amorim although as part of those negotiations the 39-year-old is set to remain in charge of the Portuguese for their next three games, starting with Friday’s game against Estrela.
It means Amorim will only join United during the forthcoming international break and that his first game as Erik ten Hag’s successor will be away to Ipswich Town on November 24.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who oversaw a 5-2 Carabao Cup win over Leicester City at Old Trafford on Wednesday night in the club’s first game since Ten Hag’s dismissal on Monday, will take charge of Sunday’s game at home to Chelsea.
The former United striker is also due to remain in interim charge for the Europa League tie against PAOK Salonika of Greece on Thursday and the visit of Leicester in the Premier League three days later. Van Nistelrooy said his caretaker position would be a “short job” and that he expects to revert to his role as an assistant amid a desire to be part of the new look coaching staff.
In addition to triggering the £8.4 million release clause in Amorim’s contract, United are set to pay around an additional £1.7 million to secure early release from a 30-day notice period and a number of the Portuguese’s back room staff.
Speaking in the Portuguese section of his press conference ahead of the Estrela match, Amorim said Joao Pereira, the Sporting B team coach, was set to replace him and that he would be leaving.
“I am sure I will leave on good terms,” he said. “There has been no breakdown in relationship with the board or players. We are all adults here.
“João Pereira [Sporting B team coach] is ready for a step up in his career. He’s a player who has played for big clubs and with a strong personality. The players I received from the B-team are ready, I don’t have to do almost anything with them.
“There are times in our professional lives, just like you journalists, when things are going well but we feel we need something different, a new challenge.
“Did I watch Manchester United’s game [against Leicester City] last night? No, I was watching Estrela’s last game. I know the United result but I didn’t watch it.”
Amorim said his situation would become “very clear” after the Estrela match. “I think that at the end of the game everyone will be very clear. The fans may like it or not, but everything will be settled,” he said. “There is no war, tomorrow it will be cleared up.
“It is a negotiation between two clubs. It is never easy - even with the clauses. We will have clarification after the game. It will be very clear. One more day and then we will have the decision made.”
Asked what he liked about the Premier League, a smiling Amorim responded: “Everything.”
Van Nistelrooy said he would be deciding the tactics and team selections during his interim spell and insisted he was preparing to go back to his role as assistant manager after his stint as caretaker manager. Whether Amorim sees a role for Van Nistelrooy on his staff, though, remains to be seen. The Sporting coach is set to bring as many as five staff with him to Old Trafford, including assistants Carlos Fernandes, Adelio Candido and Emanuel Ferro, goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital and sports scientist Paulo Barreira.
Van Nistelrooy made a pointed reference to his two-year contract when quizzed on his future, the inference being that he would need paying off if Amorim did not want to keep him.
“I decided to come back here for a very important reason: that I’m here,” said Van Nistelrooy, who revealed he spoke with Sir Alex Ferguson before the Leicester match. “I came as an assistant to help the club forward and I’m still very motivated to do so in any capacity, as an assistant and an interim manager.
“After that, I go back to my assistant contract that I have here for this season and next. I’m very motivated to stay here and help the club forward, that’s my absolute goal.”
Asked if he expected to stay under the new manager, Van Nistelrooy added: “We will see but it’s a contract situation I’m in and my desire to help the club forward. When a new manager is signing and conversations take place we have to see how things develop.”
Van Nistelrooy would not be drawn on the specifics of what went wrong under Ten Hag or whether the club had dug a hole for itself but allowing the manager to spend another £200 million in the summer only to sack him two months later.
The Dutchman said Ten Hag had been left “hurt” and “disappointed” by his dismissal.
“I saw him on Monday here and I spoke to him yesterday before the [Leicester] game. Obviously, he’s very disappointed because he really cared for the club.
“For me to come back to the club with him I really felt that he cared and loved the club and wanted to bring this club forward. That’s why we connected, and that’s why he’s also hurt that he had to leave but also proud of his achievements here with the two cups and obviously the history that he’s leaving with that.”
05:17 PM GMT
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That concludes our live coverage for today.
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05:03 PM GMT
Van Nistelrooy: ‘I enjoy being around Manchester’
Asked how it felt to manage at Old Trafford, Ruud van Nistelrooy said:
“I have to say it was special to come back to this club and to the city that I liked and I loved so much and still do.
“I enjoy being around Manchester and enjoy working with the players and staff here. There are not many that were there when I played, but still a couple.”
04:54 PM GMT
‘We need to get the most out of these players’
Ruud van Nistelrooy was asked whether the current group of Manchester United players are good enough to challenge higher up the league, to which he responded:
“I think what’s most important is to get the most out of these players.
“All the games we will play until the end of May will give us a very clear idea of ​​the current situation of the club and the way forward for next season and the seasons to come.”
04:49 PM GMT
Have your say...
04:44 PM GMT
‘There are things you can’t explain sometimes’
When asked why things hadn’t worked out for Manchester United under Erik ten Hag, Ruud van Nistelrooy responded:
“In the end, it is also clear in football that is the results and Erik also said, in pre-season we had new staff and all were very positive and all working hard to bring the club forward.
“There are things you can’t explain sometimes. I remember the Brighton goal we scored and then you concede the 2-1, so many games we felt we could get a better result, talking Palace, West Ham, Porto, Fener but we also know it is about results and that is part of our job.”
04:43 PM GMT
Refusing to humour questions around Amorim
A quick rebuttal when Ruud van Nistelrooy was asked whether he had spoken to Ruben Amorim:
“Is he already announced? So then obviously I won’t talk to somebody who’s not announced, that’s logical in my opinion.”
04:40 PM GMT
Van Nistelrooy: Ten Hag is very disappointed because he cares
The interim boss was asked whether he has spoken to Erik ten Hag since the former manager was sacked on Monday, to which he responded:
“I saw him here on Monday and spoke to him yesterday before the game. He is very disappointed and it touched me because he really cares about the club.
“The first conversations we had, I felt he cared and loved the club and wanted to bring the club forward. That is where we connected. It hurt he had to leave but he’s also proud of his achievements with the club.”
04:38 PM GMT
Ferguson wished van Nistelrooy good luck
Ruud Van Nistelrooy was asked whether he has spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson, to which he responded:
“Yes, I spoke to him [before the Leicester match]. We spoke shortly about my situation, the team and most of all he wished me luck before the game.”
04:34 PM GMT
‘I am very motivated to stay’
Ruud van Nistelrooy has addressed his future, once his role as interim manager comes to an end. He said:
“I decided to come back here for a very important reasons, that I am here as an assistant, I came here to help the club forward and I am still very motivated to do so in any capacity, as an assistant and now an interim and after that I go back to my assistant contract. I am very motivated to stay here and help the club forward.”
When asked if he expects to stay on as assistant manager, Van Nistelrooy responded:
“We will see but it’s a contract situation I’m in and it’s my desire to help the club forward. I can speak about my side of the story and when a new manager is signing and conversations take place we have to see how things develop.”
04:31 PM GMT
Van Nistelrooy: ‘It’s going to be a short job’
Ruud van Nistelrooy has addressed the media for the first time as Manchester United’s interim manager. We will bring you all of his thoughts here.
When asked if he will be in charge on Sunday for United’s match against Chelsea, and what will happen beyond that, Van Nistelrooy responded:
“I’m guessing that too so yes, it’s going to be a short job as an interim, that was communicated very clearly, I was happy with that. I felt I was called upon to help the club forward in this situation.
“It was difficult that Erik had to leave, with mixed feelings but you have to switch the mindset to win, at the end 75,000 people waiting and millions watching at home. That is what we try to do and same on Sunday.”
04:17 PM GMT
Stay tuned
We’ll be bringing you Ruud van Nistelrooy’s thoughts from his first press conference as interim head coach of Manchester United in about 15 minutes.
The Dutchman is speaking ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Sunday.
04:08 PM GMT
Van Nistelrooy showed more emotion in one game for United than Ten Hag did in 128
Following Manchester United’s 5-2 victory over Leicester last night, James Ducker assesses what we learnt from Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first 90 minutes as interim manager.
Dissecting the Dutchman’s body language, James said: “It could have been the Milk Tray man on the touchline. Dressed in matching dark designer overcoat, turtle-neck jumper and trousers, Van Nistelrooy cut a suave figure and looked every inch a manager out to impress. If Erik ten Hag was often quiet and reserved on the sidelines, at least until more recent times when the pressure began to bite, United’s interim manager was unafraid to show his emotions.
“Whether he was corralling his defence to push up and play a higher line or lustily celebrating United’s goals, Van Nistelrooy looked more animated over 90 minutes than Ten Hag had for much of his 128-game reign and even managed a laugh and joke with his Leicester counterpart Steve Cooper at one point. “What a hit!” the beaming Dutchman said as he revelled in Casemiro’s stunning opener. Arms in the air, fists shaking, it was clear he was determined to enjoy every goal. This was not a man short of confidence.”
You can read James’s thoughts on the crowd reaction, Van Nistelrooy’s tactics and substitutions here.
04:00 PM GMT
‘I’m sure there will be something else big for Ten Hag’
Manchester United has been a hot topic in press conferences across the country this afternoon, ahead of this weekend’s Premier League games.
Everton manager Sean Dyche was asked for his thoughts on Erik ten Hag’s sacking, and said:
“Firstly nobody wants to see managers get the sack but eventually that’s the nature of the business and we all understand it. Results hadn’t gone to their liking and Manchester United have a high demand.
“The only thing I would say is that there has been a fair time scale and resources available for such a highly regarded manager to get a grip on what it is.
“It’s hard though, it’s hard at any level. You’ve got to win games and eventually that’s what you get judged on but I wish him well - I’m sure there will be something else big for him.”
Thomas Frank, Brentford manager, was later questioned on previous links to Manchester United and Chelsea jobs, and responded:
“That’s a good question. I said many times I am happy here in Brentford. I love it. I feel a responsibility to the fans, the players, the staff. I am extremely dedicated to do everything I can for this club. I don’t speak about what-ifs or maybes, what will happen in the future with me, I don’t know.”
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui was asked about Ruben Amorim in his press conference but refused to humour the discussion:
“I am not commenting. Ruud [van Nistelrooy] is the coach. I don’t have to comment on something that hasn’t happened right now.
“I repeat, I have no comment. I have enough problems in my mind with Nottingham Forest. This is enough for me, for sure.”
On Ten Hag’s sacking, he added:
“I wish the best for him. He did very good work and he’s a very good coach. I understand these kind of moments. I’m sure that very soon he is going to be working again, for sure.”
03:50 PM GMT
... Speaking of Van Nistelrooy
Manchester United beat Leicester 5-2 in the League Cup last night, in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first game as interim manager.
As Jason Burt wrote after the match, once again, United left the field to what sounded like boos. In fact the noise was “Ruuuud”, the familiar fan tribute to Van Nistelrooy, the revered former striker who stood arms raised in front of the Stretford End after the final whistle.
In his playing career Van Nistelrooy was all about goals – 150 for United in just 219 games for them – and if there is one mantra he took into this tie it was an old United one. One he knows all about. One that has been a familiar complaint aimed at every manager who has followed Sir Alex Ferguson: attack, attack, attack.
United attacked here – scoring five goals – as they progressed into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup in a flood of relief even though they must now visit Tottenham Hotspur in the last eight.
That was an emphatic big tick as they looked far more positive, far more threatening albeit against a weak Leicester City with greater priorities this campaign. Such as survival.
You can read Jason’s full report here.
03:43 PM GMT
Coming up...
Ruud van Nistelrooy takes media duties for Manchester United ahead of their home game against Chelsea on Sunday.
We’ll bring you the Dutchman’s quotes from around 4:30pm.
03:28 PM GMT
Amorim’s Sporting record
Ruben Amorim was appointed Sporting manager in March 2020 and, over the course of 228 games, has won multiple trophies with the club.
In his first full season in 2020-21, he won the domestic title and ended Sporting’s league title drought of 19 years. He achieved the same feat again last season.
His Sporting team has won the Portuguese League Cup twice and the Portuguese Super Cup once in 2021/22.
With nine games played this season, his team sit top of the table and are yet to drop any points, with nine straight wins.
Over the course of 228 games, Amorim’s team has won 161 times, drawn 34 times, and lost just 33 matches.
03:04 PM GMT
How might Manchester United line up under Amorim?
James Ducker considers Ruben Amorim’s potential options and the likely winners and losers in the squad if he lands the Manchester United job.
His go-to system is a 3-4-2-1 with high wing-backs and two attacking midfielders or inside forwards who occupy the half spaces close to a central striker. Centre-halves and central midfielders are likely to be the obvious beneficiaries of such a set-up with a double 6 or double 8 or 10 in the middle, which could open the door for forgotten man Mason Mount.
One of the big question marks would be the lack of pace in the team. Amorim’s Sporting Lisbon often resemble a 4-2-2-2 structure when playing out from the back with the middle of the three centre-halves joining the midfield line, although how comfortable the likes of Matthijs de Ligt or Harry Maguire, neither of whom are particularly mobile, would be in such a role remains to be seen. De Ligt’s positioning is also suspect.
Jonny Evans may find he is again utilised more than he expects. A 3-4-2-1 might better suit a withdrawn forward like Joshua Zirkzee in one of the positions behind Rasmus Hojlund although the £36.5 million summer signing has so far looked well off the pace.
You can read James’s full analysis - and find out why Manuel Ugarte could be a big winner under Amorim here.
02:50 PM GMT
Amorim says ‘there is no war’ within Sporting
More from Ruben Amorim’s earlier press conference as told Portuguese media “there is no war” within Sporting ahead of his imminent announcement as Manchester United manager.
Sources had suggested that several Sporting players have been left annoyed because their coach had asked for commitment and loyalty from them during the last transfer window and is now leaving with his staff. However, others accept the United offer is too good to refuse.
The Sporting boss believes there are no problems in his squad or within the club’s hierarchy.
“There is no war, tomorrow it will be cleared up. Much less a rotten peace. It is not in my nature or the president’s nature.
“The focus now is on the game. I felt the players were different in the talk. I could have said that the atmosphere was good and that nobody reads the news, but I know that the players feel anxious. There was no revolt at all.
“They know me so well... I have already proven that I will defend them until the last minute. But there are things that I cannot control.
“We prepared tactically, and physically, we divided the group to be specific in this recovery and we watched the videos. We are ready to win. There are things that we cannot control, the clubs are negotiating. The coach’s decision does not matter.”
02:41 PM GMT
A look at the fixtures
With Ruben Amorim not expected to take charge of Manchester United until the international break in November, it means he likely has three more games as Sporting boss.
First up, the now much-anticipated league clash against Estrela Amadora tomorrow at 8:15pm. Amorim has made it clear an update on his future is likely to be made after that game.
Next, Sporting face Manchester City in a Champions League home tie on November 5 at 8pm. United fans will watch eagerly to see how their probable future manager fares against their fierce rivals.
The Portuguese manager’s final match with Sporting is likely to be Braga away on November 10 at 6:45pm, before he joins United during the international break which begins four days later.
Meanwhile at United, interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is also likely to have three more games in charge. First up, a home clash against Chelsea on Sunday at 4:30pm. He will be previewing that match later today, at around 4:30pm, and we will bring you all the latest updates from his press conference here.
A Europa League tie awaits next as United host PAOK on November 7 at 8pm. Van Nistelrooy’s last match as interim manager is likely to be against Leicester City on November 10 - a repeat fixture of last night’s League Cup tie, in which his side won 5-2.
Amorim’s first game as Erik ten Hag’s successor is therefore likely to be the Premier League away game against Ipswich Town on November 14.
02:25 PM GMT
Amorim: ‘I am sure I will leave on good terms’
Speaking in the Portuguese section of the press conference, Ruben Amorim effectively confirmed his imminent exit:
“I am sure I will leave on good terms. There has been no breakdown in relationship with the board or players. We are all adults here.”
“João Pereira [Sporting B team coach] is ready for a step up in his career. He’s a player who has played for big clubs and with a strong personality. The players I received from the B-team are ready, I don’t have to do almost anything with them.”
“There are times in our professional lives, just like your journalists, when things are going well but we feel we need something different, a new challenge.”
“Did I watch Manchester United’s game last night? No, I was watching Estrela’s last game. I know the United result but I didn’t watch it.”
02:23 PM GMT
The latest
Sporting are expected to announce today that they have reached full agreement to allow Ruben Amorim to leave and become Manchester United’s new head coach.
Telegraph Sport understands that United have also agreed to pay €12 million (£10 million) compensation to Sporting plus some additional money for staff and early release from a 30-day notice period, although that will only be confirmed when the announcement is made.
The extra money is believed to cover the release of Amorim’s backroom staff to work alongside him at Old Trafford - including assistants Carlos Fernandes, Adelio Candido and Emanuel Ferro, goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital and fitness coach Paulo Barreira.
Sporting have asked for money for allowing Amorim to leave without giving the required notice period as per his contract.
Reports in Portugal have claimed that Amorim will sign a two-and-a-half-year contract with the option of another year, but he will not arrive before facing United’s bitter local rivals Manchester City at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in the Champions League next Tuesday. He will remain in charge of Sporting for their next three games and will join United during the forthcomig international break, which starts on November 14.
His first game as Erik ten Hag’s successor is therefore likely to be the Premier League away game against Ipswich Town on November 14.
Read all the latest from Jason Burt here.
02:06 PM GMT
Neville: Results have been shocking, league position is terrible
Gary Neville has been speaking about Erik ten Hag’s sacking on It’s Called Soccer! He said:
“The performances have been really poor this season, the results have been shocking, the league position is terrible.
“His legacy is definitely winning two trophies in two seasons through a very difficult point.
“The recruitment to be fair has been appalling for ten years and he’s been a victim of that himself. I think he oversaw two of the worst transfers Manchester United will ever have made in the signings of Casemiro and Antony.
“They were signed for £140 to 150 million in a panic after the Brentford and Brighton losses. I hope I’m wrong, I hope Casemiro can do a great job for the club for four or five years and I hope Antony comes good.
“But those signings are why United have had to go back into the transfer market and sign [Manuel] Ugarte and other players.
“That was the ultimate in poor management from those above Erik ten Hag. That should have been one big fat no when those two players became available for those prices and those salaries.”
02:01 PM GMT
The human side of ‘angel’ Amorim that set him on path to Manchester United
The name has been dominating the headlines for the past couple of days, but just who exactly is Ruben Amorim?
Telegraph Sport travelled to Lisbon to find out - and discovered that the Sporting coach once paid a struggling player’s rent for a year. “Ruben Amorim is an angel in my life,” Deritson Lopes told Portuguese sports newspaper A Bola in 2020, when he revealed the extraordinary lengths that Amorim had gone to help him off the field.
The men’s paths had crossed at Portuguese team Casa Pia, at the beginning of Amorim’s coaching career. Lopes played for the club, but he needed help to support his young family. Not only did Amorim quietly find them a house, he also paid the rent for a whole year.
Sam Dean took a trip to Amorim’s home town and spoke to some of the people who know him best to find out more about United’s top managerial target. You can find out what he discovered here.
01:53 PM GMT
Sporting face Manchester City next week
With Ruben Amorim not expected to take charge at Manchester United until mid-November, he will likely still be head coach at Sporting when they take on Manchester City in the Champions League on November 5.
The pressure will be on for Amorim, with many likely to view the match as a prequel for him versus Pep Guardiola in the Premier League.
The two teams met in the Champions League in 2022, with Guardiola’s side coming out on top in a 5-0 thrashing in the first leg, and then grinding out a 0-0 draw in the second leg.
Victory for Sporting when the two teams meet next Tuesday would provide a massive boost for Amorim and for the United fanbase, who would take great joy in seeing their probable future coach defeat their rivals.
City and United meet in the Premier League for the first time this season at the Etihad on December 15.
Speaking to Portuguese media this afternoon, Amorim revealed he watched City’s League Cup game against Tottenham last night in preparation for the fixture.
01:43 PM GMT
Amorim: This soap opera is coming to an end
Some more from Amorim’s responses to the Portuguese media - Sky Sports are reporting that the Sporting boss said the “soap opera” around his move to Manchester United is “coming to an end”.
“The situation is very difficult. When I don’t know what to say at a certain point, it makes everything more difficult. When I’m very direct, it’s much easier.
“Uncertainty creates a lot of difficulty for me and I have communication problems like any coach. But I would say it’s more tiredness.
“What makes me most nervous is very clear, the whole situation itself. Everything around me makes me very nervous.
“It’s difficult to focus on the games, but I’m managing to do so more. The soap opera is coming to an end, let’s say. The fact that I can’t be so clear creates a lot of difficulty for me.”
01:37 PM GMT
More from Amorim: ‘The fans may like it or not, but everything will be settled’
In response to a question from the Portuguese media, Sky Sports are reporting that Amorim said:
“I know it’s difficult for everyone, but at the end of the game we’ll address it.
“I don’t think the president forced me to leave immediately.
“He’s defending the club’s rights and I’m not getting involved in that, I would never do that.
“I think that at the end of the game everyone will be very clear. The fans may like it or not, but everything will be settled.
“We’re adults and things happen sometimes. We really want to win this game, we really need to win.
“And at the end of the game we’ll address that issue.”
The game that Amorim is referring to is Sporting’s league tie against Estrela Amadora, kicking off at 8:15pm BST tomorrow.
01:25 PM GMT
Have your say...
01:19 PM GMT
Amorim: ‘We will have clarification after the game’
The Sporting manager took two questions in English at the end of the press conference.
Responding to Sky Sports, who asked why the deal was taking so long to wrap up and when it would be announced, he said: “It is a negotiation between two clubs. It is never easy - even with the clauses. We will have clarification after the game. It will be very clear. One more day and then we will have the decision made.”
Asked what he liked about the Premier League, a smiling Amorim responded: “Everything.”
After answering that final question, Amorim made a quick exit.
01:15 PM GMT
Amorim keen to avoid ‘destabilising the squad’
Ruben Amorim is speaking with the Portuguese media first, before then answering questions in English.
Portuguese outlet A Bola has quoted Amorim as saying: “I know you travelled here to talk about this and it is natural, but we will leave it until the end of the game.
“I will talk at the end of the game, I want the team to focus. I promise that at the end of the game I will talk about it. Talking about it now is further destabilising for the squad.”
01:04 PM GMT
Sporting coach speaks to the media
Ruben Amorim is facing the press ahead of his side’s league match against Estrela Amadora on Friday.
He is speaking with the Portuguese media first and will then answer questions in English.
Updates to follow...
12:54 PM GMT
Good afternoon
As reported by Telegraph Sport’s Jason Burt, Sporting are expected to announce today that they have reached full agreement to allow Ruben Amorim to leave and become Manchester United’s new head coach.
It is also expected to be announced as part of the agreement that Amorim will remain in charge of the Portuguese club for their next three games and only join United during the forthcoming international break, which starts on November 14.
Telegraph Sport understands that United have also agreed to pay €12 million (£10 million) compensation to Sporting plus some additional money for staff and early release from a 30-day notice period, although that will only be confirmed when the announcement is made.
The extra money, which sources in Portugal insist will be paid, is believed to cover the release of Amorim’s backroom staff to work alongside him at Old Trafford.
Sporting have also been demanding money for allowing Amorim to leave without giving the required notice period as per his contract.
Amorim will be giving a press conference at 1pm ahead of his team’s league fixture against Estrela Amadora this weekend and we will bring you all the latest updates from that.
Then, at around 4pm, Ruud van Nistelrooy will be speaking ahead of United’s clash against Chelsea on Sunday.
We will bring you all the latest news and updates here.
