Ruben Amorim has acknowledged the fury felt by Sporting fans over his potential move to Manchester United and said he has not told his players whether he is leaving or not.
The Liga Portugal leaders said on Tuesday that United are willing to pay Amorim’s £8.3 million release clause, leaving the much-loved boss in a curious position when he took charge of a home game that evening which many expect to prove his last in charge.
“There was a statement from the club and that is the only thing that exists at the moment,” Amorim said after the 3-1 Portuguese League Cup quarter-final win against Nacional, via Abola.
“Manchester United are interested, there is a clause to be paid and later, when there is something more concrete, I will make the decision, because it is always my choice.
“Until everything is decided, one way or the other, there is no point in saying anything – it will just create noise.”
💚 Sporting fans ✖️ Rúben Amorim ahead of his move to Man United.pic.twitter.com/r5Rj9Ib0OC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 29, 2024
Amorim: Man United ‘hope’
Amorim reportedly headed straight down the tunnel at the full-time whistle, with accounts from Lisbon reflecting the disgruntlement supporters feel at his likely replacement of Erik ten Hag, who was sacked by the Premier League side on Monday.
“It’s obvious that they’re angry,” said the two-time top-flight winner as Sporting manager. “They care a lot about me. They really believe in my work.
“But we know how football is. Right now, I can’t say anything definitive. If I have the opportunity – and I’m sure I will – I’ll explain here, in detail, why I decided one way or another. I don’t want to give anyone hope, nor stop giving hope.”
🎙️ “Will you be in the dugout at Old Trafford on Sunday?”👇 “I will be here [at Sporting]”🎙️ “Definitely?”🤣 “I don’t know”
Ruben Amorim hints at his future amid Manchester United links 🧐 pic.twitter.com/esA402PmO5
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 29, 2024
Sporting stability ‘not everything’
The 39-year-old said he had addressed the “elephant in the room” of his future with the players before a set-piece session in training.
“Without a doubt, if I leave, they’ll be disappointed with me,” he accepted. “And sad with me. But that’s part of life.
“When I came from the stability of [former club] Braga to here, that happened a bit. They were a bit disappointed because they really believed we were building something special.
“But then things happen that change people’s lives. It’s a difficult situation. I can’t give them more than that. I’m not going to tell them whether I want to go or not.
“Talks are concentrating on his backroom staff” 💬
The latest update on talks between Ruben Amorim and Manchester United 👇 pic.twitter.com/qJjmYyg1a0
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 30, 2024
“It’s one of the few [details] that’s still missing. I understand that the players are disappointed and sad but I have to live with that.
“Stability is not everything in life. I have maximum stability. I am very happy here, I really like my staff. And one thing does not prevent the other.
“What I control is the decision that will be made from now on. I will be here to say what I want to do and how it will be done. At this moment, no decision has been made.”
“It will be very clear” 👀
Rúben Amorim remained coy on his links to Manchester United 🔗pic.twitter.com/u6ZajIKzd1
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 29, 2024
Man United: Amorim coaching staff deal delay?
The outlet claimed on Tuesday that United’s appointment of Amorim is only being held up because Sporting president Frederico Varandas is demanding an extra €5m (£4.2m) as compensation for backroom staff.
Amorim said he would be in charge for Sporting’s home match against third-bottom Estrela da Amadora on Friday evening but then conceded he was not certain that would be the case.
He is said to have taken training at the club’s Cristiano Ronaldo Academy in Alcochete on Wednesday. Fellow former Portugal international Joao Pereira, who is currently Sporting’s reserve team manager, is said to be lined up as his successor.
