Sporting Lisbon are determined not to let “Rubén Amorim leave for Manchester United until after the international break”, according to Portugal.
The coach has become the favorite in the race to succeed Erik ten Hag in the Red Devils’ dugout, after the Dutchman was finally sacked as boss on Monday after months of speculation.
Indeed, earlier on Wednesday, Sporting issued a statement confirming United’s plan to pay the €10m (£8.5m) release clause to release Amorim from his contract.
A major point of friction that has emerged in the last 24 hours is the question of when the Portuguese can make the move to the Premier League side, with speculation that he could be required to serve a lengthy notice period.
Under the terms of his contract, the coach could be forced to stay for up to 30 days and it seems likely that the team will activate this option, according to A Bola.
Sporting Lisbon are determined not to let ‘Rubén Amorim join Manchester United until after the international break’
The Portuguese coached his team’s cup match against Nacional last night, but seems willing to take a step forward
The president of Sporting CP, Frederico Varandas, avoided questions about the situation of his prestigious coach, Rubén Amorim.
The 45-year-old first became active president in 2018 before being confirmed in the role following a successful election campaign months later.
This comes after Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas gave a brief response to journalists after revealing coverage amid Manchester United’s pursuit of Ruben Amorim.
The Red Devils want to replace Erik ten Hag, fired on Monday morning, with the prestigious 39-year-old coach.
The club’s hierarchy wants to act quickly and, according to The Times, hoped to have Amorim installed on the bench for this Sunday’s clash against Chelsea.
Sporting announced on Tuesday that United plan to pay the €10m (£8.5m) release clause to release Amorim from his contract. Amorim refused to confirm whether he will be the next Red Devils manager during his press conference following his team’s 3-1 League Cup victory over Nacional on Tuesday night.
The club president was equally evasive when he was seen entering the Sporting academy while running on Wednesday. Seeing the group of reports that had accumulated just outside the main compound, Varandas greeted the group and simply said, “It’s a beautiful morning.”
Amorim arrived at Sporting’s headquarters early to train as negotiations continue between the two clubs over his notice period.
Several Sporting players have reportedly expressed frustration with Amorim as he prepares to leave the Portuguese champions just nine games into the new league season.
portuguese newspaper O Jogo have reported that several Sporting players are angry about Amorim’s likely departure.
The outlet claims that Sporting stars Viktor Gyokeres and Morten Hjulmand are unhappy as the in-demand pair were “lured” to stay at the club in the summer with the aim of defending the Portuguese title with Amorim.
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Time ran out for Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford after United lost to West Ham.
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Mail Sport revealed on Tuesday that Amorim has a notice period of “several weeks rather than days”, leaving clubs to negotiate the timing of his departure.
Amorim admitted that he had communicated Manchester United’s interest to Sporting during the preparation prior to the match against Nacional.
“Nothing was talked about, it was just before the set pieces to get the elephant out of the room,” Amorim said. ‘Before the statement was made public, I explained to the players everything that was happening. There is nothing more to say.
“I don’t get involved in the players’ lives, but I am the coach, I spoke with the board to understand how to manage the squad.”
“No doubt my players will be disappointed in me if I leave, but it’s part of life. That happened in Braga, when I came. That happened a little because they were disappointed.”
Amorim has already faced criticism from some fans and former club officials should he move to Man United, amid accusations that he has “abandoned” the club.
The 39-year-old has led Sporting to two national titles since taking charge in 2020.
Jaime Marta Soares, former president of Sporting’s General Assembly, stated that Amorim’s reputation at the club has been tarnished by his imminent departure.
Soares claimed that Amorim’s dedication to Sporting has been exposed as a “fantasy” and criticized his departure during the season.
He also criticized Sporting president Varandas for not having been able to prevent Amorim’s departure, which he described as a “real disaster.”
“(Ruben Amorim’s) attitude and personality seemed like one thing, but it fell apart from one moment to the next,” Soares told Radio Renascenca. ‘His love, passion and dedication to Sporting were just fantasy situations.
Amorim has already faced criticism from some fans and former club officials should he move to Man United.
Former Sporting official Jaime Marta Soares criticized Amorim for his mid-season departure
“He was the one who created an environment with an entire nation of Sporting fans around him, who adored and respected him. He shouldn’t have spit in the bowl that gave him his soup.
‘I am a fan of Rubén Amorim, but there are things that should not be allowed. It was at Sporting where he made a name for himself.
“If he hadn’t gotten caught up in the dream of winning millions, and being adored by Sporting fans, he should have thought about going out through the front door and not in this way. Sports fans will surely react.”