Sporting Lisbon head coach Ruben Amorim has stated that his future is still undecided

Sporting Lisbon head coach Ruben Amorim has stated that his future is still undecided, even as Manchester United has confirmed their willingness to pay the £8.3 million release clause in his contract. United have quickly identified Amorim as their top choice to replace Erik ten Hag, who was dismissed on Monday following a 2-1 loss to West Ham, leaving the team 14th in the Premier League.

Following Sporting’s Portuguese League Cup victory over Nacional on Tuesday, Amorim addressed the media, saying, “Nothing is decided yet. I don’t know if this was my farewell game.” He added, “It’s my decision. I’ll clarify everything soon, but for now, we have to wait.”

When asked if he would be managing United for their upcoming match against Chelsea, he replied, “I will be here,” but later admitted uncertainty.

Sporting also informed Portugal's financial regulator, the CMVM, of United’s approach, indicating that the club is prepared to meet the €10 million release clause in Amorim’s contract.

Since joining Sporting in March 2020, Amorim has led the team to two Portuguese league titles and two League Cups. Recently linked to Manchester City as a possible successor to Pep Guardiola, those rumors have been downplayed by the Premier League champions.

Ten Hag’s departure came after only three league wins this season. Following a performance review, United decided to part ways despite his previous successes, including winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Ruud van Nistelrooy has taken on the role of interim manager for United’s Carabao Cup game against Leicester.

Ten Hag survived a summer review at United, buoyed by having beaten Manchester City to lift the FA Cup in May, but after only three wins from nine league games the club have swiftly had a rethink.

 

The club had wanted to give Ten Hag the chance to work within a new sporting structure put in place over the summer, but results and performances have forced their hand.

 

It is understood the club’s hierarchy had not seen enough progress in Ten Hag’s side to believe they were on the right path to challenge again for the Premier League title.

After replacing interim manager Ralf Rangnick, Ten Hag ended the club’s six-year wait for a major trophy in his first season when his side beat Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.

 

The former Ajax boss also led United to a third-placed top-flight finish but his second season saw them knocked out of the Champions League group phase before finishing eighth in the Premier League.

Despite rampant speculation that he would be sacked in the summer, the club opted to trigger a contract extension until 2026 after carrying out an extensive review.

 

Ten Hag, United’s fifth permanent head coach since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, had led Ajax to the 2018-19 Champions League semi-finals and also won the league and cup double with them in 2018-19 and 2020-21.