Newly appointed Manchester United head coach, Rúben Amorim is expected to assume his role during the upcoming November international break.
Following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal on Monday, Amorim, who will become United’s sixth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, is set to depart Sporting CP for the Premier League.
Erik Ten Hag, head coach of Manchester United. (Photo by Xavi Bonilla/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Sources confirmed that Manchester United has activated Amorim’s €10 million ($10.87m) release clause and agreed to additional compensation to allow some of Amorim’s backroom staff to join him.
However, due to a 30-day notice clause in his Sporting contract, Amorim won’t officially take charge until mid-November, after Sporting’s November 10 match against Braga.
During this waiting period, Ruud van Nistelrooy, who led United to a 5-2 Carabao Cup victory against Leicester City, will oversee United’s next three fixtures: against Chelsea, PAOK Thessaloniki, and a second encounter with Leicester, all at Old Trafford.
Van Nistelrooy revealed his commitment to the club, stating, “I decided to come back here for a very important reason…I am very motivated to stay here and help the club forward.”
Amorim’s first official game as United’s head coach will likely be on November 24, in an away match against Ipswich Town.
Amorim Responds to Media Speculation on Future
Sporting’s coach Ruben Amorim. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)
Ahead of Sporting’s match against Estrela Amadora, Amorim addressed ongoing media inquiries.
“I know you [journalists] made the journey to talk about this and it’s normal. At the end of [Friday’s] game I will talk about this and everything will become clearer…The focus is on tomorrow’s game and then I will talk.”
On the prolonged negotiations, he clarified, “It’s a negotiation between two clubs, which is not easy. We will have clarification after the game. Then, the decision will be known.”
“All coaches need it [to leave their comfort zone]…here we have very good conditions, six years ago we were at Casa Pia and we paid to work, so it doesn’t involve any of that, it’s not monetary reasons.”
“When I talk about the staff, it’s not just my assistants, I’m talking about everyone, physiotherapists, kit men…it was one of the reasons I always wanted to stay.”
Amorim hinted he is motivated for the new challenge at also reflected on the broader motivations behind his career move.
“In everyone’s life there are also phases in which we are doing well in life but something is missing…we want to prove something and we have to take a step forward in things that will destabilize us…coaches go through the same thing.”
