While he will officially take the reins of Manchester United from November 11, Rúben Amorim won one of his last three matches at the helm of Sporting CP this Friday evening (5-1 victory against Estrela Amadora). After the match, the Portuguese technician appeared at a press conference and explained at length about the change of club that awaits him. The latter notably revealed that his departure from Sporting had already been planned for several weeks.
« At the start of the season I had a conversation with the president and (Hugo) Viana (the future sporting director of Manchester City). I told them that this was my last season at Sporting, whatever happens. » Rúben Amorim first said, before retracing the events which followed the offer from the Red Devils: “ The only request I made (to the president of Sporting) is that (the departure to Manchester United) takes place at the end of the season. I asked for this for three days, but was told it was impossible. It was now or never, otherwise (Manchester United) would go and look for someone else. I had three days to think, to make a decision that would completely change my life. »
The former Portuguese international also revealed that other clubs before Manchester United had tried to secure his services, without success: “ This is not the first time that my clause has been paid, nor even the second… The reality is that I didn't want other clubs (than Manchester United), after Sporting I only wanted this one. » And this, even if the offer from another club was very attractive: “ Many say I agreed for the money, but the reality is that the previous club that wanted to pay the clause offered me three times more (in terms of salary). »
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