Soccer
Who Is Ruben Amorim, Manchester United’s Next Manager?
Ending months of speculation, Manchester United sacked under-performing manager Erik ten Hag on Monday, October 28. The club took the bold step less than a day after the Red Devils suffered their fourth defeat of the season away at West Ham United. Assistant manager Ruud van Nistelooy has unsurprisingly ascended to the caretaker manager role, with Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim emerging as the prime candidate to become the club’s next permanent manager.
It Is Official: Manchester United Is Courting Ruben Amorim
Shortly after some of the most renowned reporters broke the news of Manchester United’s interest in Amorim, Primeira Liga outfit Sporting CP delivered official confirmation. Their statement read (via The Independent):
“Manchester United have registered an interest in hiring Ruben Amorim and paying his €10m ($10.8 million) release clause.”
Amorim has seemingly green-lit the move, but negotiations are still ongoing.
Addressing the rumors about his future, the 39-year-old said:
“We have to wait a little bit more to explain what I need to explain, then it will be very clear.
“Yes, it is my decision, I will tell everything, we have to wait. I don’t know [how long].”
As per The Independent, Amorim’s coaching staff, Carlos Fernandes (assistant), Adelio Candido (assistant), and Jorge Vidal (goalkeeping coach), are also likely to move to Old Trafford when the move goes through.
Who Is Ruben Amorim?
Coaching History
Amorim began his managerial career with third-division team Casa Pia in the 2018-19 season. After a short stint, which ended with a sanction on him for giving instructions without having the required coaching level, Amorim came on as Braga’s reserve team coach.
Amorim earned a promotion to the first team in December 2019, replacing Ricardo Sa Pinto at the helm. Braga was in eighth place at the time. In his first game (January 4), he led Braga to an emphatic 7-1 routing of Belenenses. On February 15, Sporting beat Benfica 1-0, recording their first win in the heavyweights’ backyard for the first time in 65 years. Braga finished the season in third place in the Primeira Liga rankings, making Amorim a hot topic in the transfer market.
In March 2020, Amorim joined Sporting CP as Silas’ replacement. The following season, he took Sporting to their first Primeira Liga title in 19 years, making them play jaw-dropping soccer along the way. The 2021-22 season was also encouraging, as Porto reached the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League and finished second in the league.
After a disappointing 2022-23 season, Amorim’s Sporting returned to the summit once more, claiming the league title at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Amorim has led Sporting to a dream start this season, taking them to nine consecutive wins in the Portuguese top flight. With 27 points on the board, Sporting sits at the top of the Primeira Liga rankings.
Style of Play
Historically, Manchester United has been an attack-minded team. We are happy to report that Amorim will cause no harm to the Red Devils’ reputation. Over the years, Amorim has used many formations, but the 3–4–3 is undoubtedly his favorite.
He likes his team to press hard and win back the ball as high up the pitch as possible. The players are generally given fluid roles, which makes it difficult for defenders to keep track. The center-forward in Amorim’s system needs to have immense stamina, as he always has to try and put pressure on the backline. He must also be a good passer, as he frequently drops back to combine with his teammates.
When defending, Amorim prefers to play a low block. The wing-backs drop to the back line — forming a back five — and try to keep a compact shape. It increases the risk of bombardment through the wings, but there is generally enough cover inside the box to deal with the onslaught.
Amorim does not have the experience Manchester United may have wanted in their next manager. However, what he lacks in experience, he more than makes up for in tactical acumen and freshness. Considering how much Man Utd have struggled in recent years, a breath of fresh air may just be what they need to reclaim their glory days.