Ruben Amorim’s appointment as Manchester United manager is imminent after reports revealed the club have agreed a deal with Sporting Lisbon for his services.
The 39-year-old has been United’s top target since they sacked Erik ten Hag on Monday and is expected to start working during the international break ahead of the club’s game away to Ipswich.
INEOS triggered his €10million release clause and stumped up an extra €1million to shorten his 30-day notice period. However, they are still in discussions over compensation for his backroom staff, according to The Athletic.
The coaches Amorim wants to bring to Old Trafford include Carlos Fernandes, Adelio Candido and Jorge Vital, but little is known about them. It also means that there’s likely to be departures of current key members on United’s bench, with the future of interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy still uncertain.
Daily Star Sport has taken a closer look at the three men earmarked to join Amorim.
Carlos Fernandes
(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
Fernandes is Amorim’s trusted number two. At just 29 years of age, he’s been alongside him throughout his entire managerial career at Casa Pia, Braga and Sporting. They go way back with Fernandes an assistant at Benfica while Amorim was a player there.
United’s likely new boss has compared their relationship to Bobby Robson and Jose Mourinho, saying: “My number two is Carlos Fernandes, he’s been my right-hand man right from day one. He’ll be a much better coach than me.
“I often say if I become Bobby Robson, then he’ll be my Jose Mourinho! But there’s plenty of time, we’ve signed a 15-year deal!”
Adelio Candido
Amorim’s other trusted coach Candido is even younger at just 28-years-old, so there will be several players his senior if he moves to United.
He was a youth coach when Amorim and Fernandes were in charge at Casa Pia and has been loyal ever since.
He didn’t play at the top level hence the head start on the touchline.
Jorge Vital
(Image: DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Amorim is very keen on his goalkeepers being involved in build-up play from the back, so bringing his coach to Old Trafford will be vital.
Vital is highly experienced at 63, and is a former keeper for both Sporting and Gil Vincente. He met the trio of Amorim, Fernandes and Candido when they were at Braga and soon followed them to Lisbon.
United’s current goalkeeping coach only joined in July, but his time at the club will likely end once Vital arrives.