Manchester United target Rubén Amorim has not been among the names considered by Manchester City as a possible successor to Pep Guardiola, Mail Sport understands.
The Red Devils began talks with Sporting Lisbon on Monday for Amorim, as the club seeks a quick appointment following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag.
Amorim is understood to have planned to leave Sporting at the end of the season, but learned of United’s interest earlier this month and has had two rounds of talks.
The 39-year-old has also been linked with current Premier League champions Man City if Guardiola opts to leave the club in the summer at the end of his contract.
However, Mail Sport understands that Amorim is not in consideration, despite his relationship with Hugo Viana.
Manchester United target Rubén Amorim is not considered by Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s successor
Manchester City want their next coach to align with the playing style of Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain, left
Sporting’s Hugo Viana will succeed Begiristain, leading Manchester City to link up with Amorim
Man City agreed a deal earlier this month for former Newcastle midfielder Viana to take over as sporting director at the end of the season.
He will succeed Txiki Begiristain when the renowned sporting director leaves Manchester City.
Viana held the same position at Sporting and made the key decision to pay more than £10m to lure Amorim from Braga in 2020.
The decision has been seen as the catalyst for their dominance in Portugal in recent seasons.
Although it is believed in Portugal that Amorim and Viana would team up again in England, it is understood that Manchester City prefer their next manager to align with the playing style of Guardiola and Begiristain.
Amorim had played down suggestions he could follow Viana to Man City earlier this month.
“We don’t talk about it because they are two completely different paths,” he said.
‘I know people made that connection. The path of Viana is the path of Viana. My way is my way.
Amorim had played down suggestions this month that he could follow Viana to Man City.
Amorim won two leagues with Sporting and was courted by Liverpool and West Ham
“We just have a professional relationship that won’t last forever, but the friendship is sure to last.”
The 39-year-old is said to be “married” to his 3-4-3 formation, which he has adopted with great success at Sporting.
Sporting has won two league titles under Amorim and has won nine consecutive games to start this domestic season.
The Portuguese giants are also eighth in the initial Champions League standings after starting the competition unbeaten.
Amorim’s team beat Lille and Sturm Graz in the league phase of the competition, in addition to drawing with PSV.
Sporting will face Man City in their next Champions League match on November 5.
Mail Sport revealed last week that Amorim was one of four targets if Ten Hag was sacked, and United announced on Monday morning that the Dutchman’s two-and-a-half-year reign at Old Trafford was over.
His assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy has been put in charge temporarily, but United quickly began talks with Amorim and Sporting to activate the £8.5m release clause in his contract in Portugal.
The 39-year-old, who was interviewed about managerial vacancies at Liverpool and West Ham earlier this year, is said to be open to a move to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils sacked Erik ten Hag after falling to 14th place in the Premier League standings
Asked about links to United following Ten Hag’s sacking, he said on Monday: “I was expecting this question and obviously I’m not going to talk about the future because otherwise I’ll always have to comment.” I’m very proud to be coach of Sporting, that’s all.
United made the decision to sack Ten Hag when the club was 14th in the Premier League following Sunday’s defeat to West Ham, and in the bottom half of the Europa League.
He was summoned to a meeting with chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth at Carrington on Monday morning and told of the decision.
The 54-year-old Dutchman, who is expected to receive up to £15m in compensation, flew to Holland on a private jet around lunchtime.