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Sporting chance: A closer look at the man tipped to take over at Old Trafford
Ruben Amorim has reportedly emerged as the leading candidate to take over at Manchester United.
The Sporting Lisbon boss is in contention to replace Erik ten Hag, who was sacked on Monday after leading the Old Trafford club to one of their worst starts of the Premier League era.
The PA news agency looks at the background of the man who could be tasked with reviving United’s fortunes.
Career pathway
A former Portugal international, Amorim began his managerial career in the country’s third division with Casa Pia but left after the club were sanctioned by the league owing to their coach not having the required licence.
After a brief spell in charge of Braga, he was appointed by Sporting in March 2020 tasked with ending the club’s 19-year wait for the title.
Sporting were crowned champions in 2021 and 2024 as Amorim forged a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising coaches, in part due to his young age in winning the league aged only 36.
He has also won Portugal’s League Cup on three occasions, twice with Sporting and once with Braga, as well as leading Sporting to the last 16 of the Champions League in 2022, a run which included a 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in Lisbon.
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In demand
Amorim has been linked to a number of high-profile jobs since his initial success, including in the Premier League.
Chelsea reportedly considered hiring him following the sacking of Graham Potter in 2023 and he was also apparently in the running to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool earlier this year.
During the summer, he was forced to apologise to Sporting fans for the timing of discussions he engaged in with West Ham about succeeding David Moyes.
Playing career
Amorim’s playing career was ended abruptly at the age of 32, though not before landing three league titles with Benfica, as well as featuring for his country at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and again four years later in Brazil when Portugal were eliminated in the group stage.
In 2011, he publicly criticised manager Jorge Jesus for favouring overseas players over Portuguese, leading to disciplinary action that ultimately paved the way for his temporary exit on loan to Braga.
He returned triumphantly to the Estadio de Luz in 2013 to help the club to an unprecedented domestic treble.
Strengths
As a coach, Amorim’s reputation is that of an organiser able to get his teams to dig in where necessary.
He is regarded as an intense operator who is capable of getting the best out of both young and experienced players.
What would he cost?
If United wanted Amorim, it would not be without cost.
The 39-year-old is a hot favourite with bookmakers to become the next United manager.
However, if the Old Trafford club wish to release him from his Sporting contract, they would be facing a reported release clause of £8.3million.
