Manchester United has successfully negotiated an agreement with Sporting Lisbon for the appointment of Ruben Amorim as their new head coach. As part of the arrangement, Amorim will remain with Sporting for their upcoming three matches, which include a significant clash against Manchester City on Tuesday and another match against Braga on November 10. Consequently, Amorim is expected to take charge of Manchester United for the first time on November 24 during their away game against Ipswich Town.
Sporting Lisbon was keen to retain Amorim for this critical period, and Manchester United has agreed to these terms, recognizing the 39-year-old’s esteemed position at the Portuguese club and his desire to leave in a manner that maintains goodwill, particularly as the season is already in progress.
Amorim’s contract includes a release clause of €10 million (approximately £8.4 million or $10.9 million). However, it also stipulates a 30-day notice period. In a bid to expedite his start at United during the international break, the club is prepared to pay an additional €1 million. Originally, Sporting had requested an extra €5 million for an immediate release, as reported by sources familiar with the negotiations in Portugal.
Discussions have also taken place regarding further financial compensation to facilitate the departure of the coaching staff that Amorim intends to bring with him. This includes first-team coaches Emanuel Ferro, Adelio Candido, and Carlos Fernandes, along with goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital and sports scientist Paulo Barreira.
Amorim is keen to ensure a respectful and satisfactory exit from a club that he has been affiliated with for four years, particularly mindful of the strong bond he has developed with the supporters during his tenure, which includes two league title victories. Manchester United has been receptive to this diplomatic approach, especially considering that the season is ongoing and Ruud van Nistelrooy is capable of stepping in as interim manager.
The negotiations were led by Chief Executive Omar Berrada and Sporting Director Dan Ashworth, who traveled to Lisbon to finalize the discussions for Manchester United.
In the event that Amorim’s transition goes as planned, van Nistelrooy would have the opportunity to manage a total of four matches in the interim. These include fixtures against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup; a game which saw Manchester United run rampage winning 5-2 yesterday. Nistelrooy still has three matches against Chelsea in the Premier League, PAOK in the Europa League, and again against Leicester in the Premier League.
While van Nistelrooy’s long-term future at the club remains uncertain, he has expressed his willingness to work in whatever capacity Amorim deems appropriate. This week-long opportunity to serve as United’s head coach could also enhance his credentials as a potential number one in the future.
