Ruben Amorim has reportedly agreed in principle to become the next manager of Manchester United.
The Red Devils and Sporting are currently negotiating a compensation package, but it seems that Amorim, 39, is set to replace Erik ten Hag. Amid interest from Manchester City, United made their move, with Amorim being City’s top choice to replace Pep Guardiola should he decide to leave when his contract ends.
Despite the close professional and personal relationship between City’s incoming sporting director, Hugo Viana, and Amorim, United have tried to convince the Sporting coach that City will lose its shine if Guardiola leaves next year.
Since Guardiola took over in 2016, City have bagged six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, the Champions League and the Club World Cup.
Omar Berrada, United’s chief executive who moved from City earlier this year, has been reunited at Old Trafford with technical director Jason Wilcox, formerly a coach and academy director at City.
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Berrada also brought in Toby Craig as chief communications officer, having known him at City. Meanwhile, City stars Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan’s contracts are up next year, while stalwarts Ederson, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Bernardo Silva are entering the final two years of their deals.
Amorim was previously interviewed by West Ham United earlier this year. However, the Hammers decided to go with former Wolves and Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui instead, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Since taking over at Sporting in 2020, Amorim has ended the club’s 19-year wait for a league title. The Portuguese manager would command a €10million compensation fee, a sum that Manchester United chiefs are reportedly willing to pay, amid fears they could be limited to free agents.