Manchester United in talks with Amorim to replace Eric Ten Hag
By Tosin Omojola
Manchester United’s quest to replace sacked manager Eric Ten Hag may lead them to Portuguese coach Rúben Amorim.
Amorim, a former Portuguese footballer and current football manager, is known for his innovative coaching style and rapid rise in Portuguese football. Born on January 27, 1985, in Lisbon, Portugal, he spent much of his playing career as a midfielder. He began his career with Belenenses and later played for Benfica, where he won multiple Primeira Liga titles and Portuguese Cups. Despite a solid domestic career, his time on the Portuguese national team was limited due to injuries and competition in midfield.
After retiring in 2017, Amorim quickly transitioned into coaching, starting with Casa Pia, a small Portuguese club, in 2018. His big break came in 2019 when he was appointed head coach of S.C. Braga’s reserve team.
He was soon promoted to Braga’s first team, leading them to win the 2020 Taça da Liga (Portuguese League Cup), showcasing his tactical acumen and fresh approach to the game. His success at Braga drew the attention of Sporting CP, one of Portugal’s “Big Three” clubs, which signed him in March 2020 despite his limited coaching experience.
At Sporting CP, Amorim implemented a dynamic 3-4-3 formation, emphasizing aggressive pressing and youth development. Under his leadership, Sporting ended their 19-year league title drought by winning the Primeira Liga in the 2020-2021 season.
Amorim’s success has made him one of Portugal’s most promising young coaches, and he has continued to keep Sporting competitive both domestically and in European competitions.
Manchester United has shown interest in Rúben Amorim due to his impressive work with Sporting CP and his potential to bring a fresh, tactical approach to the club. His rapid success, particularly with his innovative 3-4-3 system and emphasis on developing young talent, aligns with Manchester United’s desire for a modern, attack-minded playing style.
His ability to develop players and implement a high-pressing, fast-transition game has garnered attention from United’s management, who see in him the qualities needed to build a team capable of contending at the highest levels in the Premier League and Europe.
In recent years, Manchester United has cycled through several managers in search of stability and success but has struggled to consistently return to the heights of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Amorim’s proven ability to break a title drought with Sporting and compete against strong Portuguese teams like FC Porto and Benfica reflects his competitive mindset and adaptability. In addition, his work with young players aligns with United’s rich history of nurturing talent, from the famous “Class of ’92” to their ongoing investments in their academy.
While Amorim has a relatively short managerial career, his tactical prowess and track record of success have made him one of Europe’s most sought-after young coaches, positioning him as a potential long-term solution for United’s managerial role if they are willing to take a strategic chance on his talents.