Manchester United have reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon to appoint Ruben Amorim as head coach.
As part of the deal, Amorim will remain at Sporting for the next three games, including games against Manchester City on Tuesday and Braga on November 10, starting with United away to Ipswich Town on November 24. will take command.
Sporting are determined to keep Amorim at this crucial time, with United accepting the terms given the 39-year-old's position at the Portuguese club and his desire for a smooth exit midway through the campaign. .
Amorim's contract includes a €10m (£8.4m, $10.9m) release clause, but also includes a 30-day notice period. United are prepared to pay an extra €1 million to acquire Amorim early so he can start work during the international break. A person with knowledge of the Portuguese deal said Sporting had asked for a further €5 million for his immediate release.
Sporting insists that everything has not yet been finalized, and that Amorim's appointment will include first-team coaches Emmanuel Ferro, Adelio Candido and Carlos Fernandes, as well as goalkeeping coach Discussions are also being held regarding further compensation to allow him to retire. Jorge Vital and sports scientist Paulo Barreira. United CEO Omar Berrada is in Lisbon to lead negotiations with United.
Amorim wants a satisfying departure from the club he has called home for four years, conscious of the bond he has forged with supporters after winning the league twice, and with United's season under way, Ruud van Nistelrooy has stepped up to the plate. As an interim manager, I was open to such diplomacy given my ability to up.
Ahead of Sporting's game against Estrela Amadora on Friday night, Amorim declined to give details on when the announcement would be made.
“This is a negotiation between two clubs. It's never easy. Even if there is a clause, it's never easy. They need to talk,” he told reporters.
“There will be an explanation after the game. It's very clear, so we'll wait another day after tomorrow's game to make a decision.”
He did not watch United's win over Leicester City on Wednesday night, instead focusing on Estrella and also watching Sporting's Champions League match against Manchester City on Tuesday.
Asked what he liked about the Premier League as a whole, he added: “Everything.”
During this period, Van Nistelrooy will be in charge of a total of four games, including against Chelsea in the Premier League, PAOK in the Europa League and Leicester in the Premier League.
The Dutchman's long-term future at the club is still uncertain. He said he was ready to work in any capacity that Amorim deems suitable. His week as United manager is at least an opportunity to strengthen his CV as number one.
Amorim's pursuit follows Monday's decision to sack Erik ten Hag from his post after two-and-a-half years as manager.
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What will Amorim bring to United?
Analysis by Mark Carey, Senior Data Analyst
Ruben Amorim is a manager who has been in the spotlight for quite a while in recent months, and it's understandable why the 39-year-old is in demand.
Amorim led Sporting to their first league title in 19 years in the 2021-22 season, and after winning last season, Sporting remain at the top of the Primeira Liga with nine wins from nine games this season.
Even taking into account the imbalance in quality in the Primeira Liga, the manager of the team that statistically boasts the best attack (chance creation, 95 out of 99) and best defense (chance prevention, 97 out of 99) has a positive effect. brings.
Stylistically, Amorim's 3-4-3, and more specifically 3-4-2-1, is built on high possession, a flexible attacking approach and a strong defensive foundation.
The arrival of striker Victor Gokeres last season created a more transitional and direct attacking style (patient attack, 49 out of 99 points). It also highlights Amorim's ability to maximize his style by adapting to players' skill sets.
Amorim has shown a desire to bring young talent into the first team, such as Gonzalo Inacio, Matheus Nunez, Nuno Mendes and Ousmane Diomande, and has used the resources at his disposal to improve the quality of his team.
Bruno Fernandes moved to Manchester United just over a month before Amorim's appointment, but Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Nunez (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Pedro Polo (Tottenham Hotspur) and Manuel Ugarte (Also from PSG) and João Parinha (Fulham). ) is one of the talented players Amorim improved before being sold for a hefty fee.
Qualification for winning the title? It's ticking. How about using young players? Tick-tock. How to improve individual player performance? Tick. There's a reason why Amorim is so popular among Europe's elite.
(Top photo: Diogo Cardoso/Getty Images)
