Chosen by Manchester United to succeed Erik ten Hag, Ruben Amorim justified his decision to leave Sporting for England on Friday. He also clarified that he did not intend to bring in the scoring machine Viktor Gyökeres next winter.
“It’s my choice and it will completely change my life.” Described as one of the most exciting young coaches in European football, Ruben Amorim decided at the age of 39 to leave Sporting to say yes to Manchester United. Appointed until June 2027, with an additional year optional, replacing Erik ten Hag, he will officially take up his duties at the start of the next international break, on November 11.
“I had the best period of my life but it’s my choice,” he repeated Friday during a press conference after his club’s home victory against Estrela Amadora (5-1). ). “Manchester United was the club I wanted after Sporting,” he said, adding that he had decided to leave the Lisbon club at the end of the season anyway, because it fit “ the end of a cycle. He also admitted to having “changed his opinion several times” in recent days for fear of harming Sporting.
“I will take my staff with me… this has always been one of the conditions that I have set,” underlined the Portuguese coach. Until his arrival, Ruud van Nistelrooy, former deputy of ten Hag, will continue his interim leadership of the team. Amorim should still ensure the matches at the head of Sporting before the international break, namely the Champions League clash against Manchester City this Tuesday and the trip to Braga next weekend in the championship.
“It costs at least 100 million euros”
Assailed with questions all week since the rumors of his departure, the young technician had remained silent but had promised a “clarification” at the end of the meeting on Friday evening. “We respected the decision” of Amorim, declared club president Frederico Varandas during this press conference, specifying that the new Sporting coach would be known after his departure.
Amorim also heard about the transfer window. With a big question: does he plan to bring scoring machine Viktor Gyökeres to England? Author of an incredible quadruple on Friday, the 26-year-old Swede continues to impress with already 20 goals scored this season in 16 matches played. “It costs at least 100 million euros and it is very difficult. I am not going to bring any player from Sporting in January,” replied Amorim, in comments reported by the Daily Mail.
“Joining Amorim this winter? I don't know, I'm here. As you can see, I like Sporting. I'm not thinking about that. I'm just sad he's gone, we wish him the best. Of course, it's not a normal situation right now, but we won 5-1 and the team reacted very well. We are professionals and we have to continue like this,” commented the striker. under contract until 2028 with Sporting.
