He’s said to be open to the role
Manchester United are in talks with Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim over him becoming their new head coach.
On Monday afternoon, it was announced that the Dutchman had been sacked as manager of the club, just 116 days after having his contract extended.
In a statement, United said: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.
“Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.
“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.”
The club revealed assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy would be taking charge as interim head coach whilst a “permanent head coach is recruited.”
Whilst the likes of Gareth Southgate, Xavi and Thomas Frank emerged as early favourites for the job, the Athletic reports that the club have opened talks with Ruben Amorim over the position.
The Red Devils are reportedly ready to pay the Sporting CP manager’s €10million (£8.3m) release clause in his contract.
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) October 28, 2024
EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United working on deal to appoint Ruben Amorim as head coach. #MUFC ready to pay €10m release clause + in talks with #SportingCP to finalise. 39yo Portuguese open to accepting move. W/ @AdamCrafton_ @lauriewhitwell @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/zDxEd0SmBa
The deal – which Amorim is said to be open to – would see Van Nistelrooy take interim charge of the first team before the 39-year-old’s arrival.
The Portuguese manager was heavily linked with the Liverpool job after Jurgen Klopp’s departure earlier this year.
Amorim guided Sporting CP’s to the Portuguese Primeira Liga title last season. The former Benfica and Portuguese international midfielder took over at the club in 2020, and guided them to a double of the Taça da Liga and the Primeira Liga in 2021, ending the Lisbon side’s 19-year league title drought in the process.
He has developed a reputation for developing young players, improving individual player performance and his high-pressing style of play.
The Manchester Evening News reports that the club hierarchy decided to sack Ten Hag now due to poor results and performances.
Sources at the club said they took a “difficult and finely balanced decision” to dismiss the former Ajax boss after losing faith in him because of performances and results this calendar year.
Ten Hag won the FA Cup with United in the last game of last season and was handed a contract extension until 2026.
According to the MEN, the club had wanted to give him the opportunity to work under a new structure and maintain continuity as an overhaul of the club took place behind the scenes under Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
A key stat in the decision to sack Ten Hag was United’s average of 1.2 points per game in the league this season. The club highlighted this as an issue as they believe they’ll need around 70 points to finish in the top four and secure Champions League qualification.
United currently sit 14th in the Premier League and have failed to win any of their three Europa League games this season.
They fell to a 2-1 defeat at struggling West Ham on Sunday, following a controversial Jarrod Bowen penalty in stoppage time.
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