Ruben Amorim will become Manchester United’s next manager after Sporting Lisbon confirmed they will receive a €10m release clause for his services.
The Portuguese could now be appointed in time to take charge of Sunday’s Premier League match against Chelsea.
The Sporting coach wants the job and has agreed to be the club’s next manager after the Old Trafford hierarchy put the 39-year-old at the top of their list to replace Erik ten Hag.
“Manchester United have registered an interest in hiring Ruben Amorim and paying his €10m release clause,” a statement from the Portuguese club said.
Follow all the reaction to Ten Hag’s sacking and updates on United’s new manager search in our live blog below
Manchester United new manager: Latest news and updates
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Manchester United now in advanced talks to make Ruben Amorim new manager
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Sporting Lisbon confirm Man Utd are prepared to pay €10m release clause
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Who is Ruben Amorim? Why Sporting manager is wanted by Manchester United
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Erik ten Hag sacked by Manchester United after club’s worst start to PL season
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Man City not concerned by potential target Amorim talking to United
STATEMENT: Manchester United prepared to pay €10m release clause
15:39 , Jamie Braidwood
The statement from Sporting Lisbon is as follows:
“Manchester United FC expressed interest in hiring coach Ruben Amorim, and the Board of Directors of Sporting SAD referred to the terms and conditions provided for in the employment contract in force between the Company and the coach, specifically for the respective termination clause and for the amount of Euro 10,000,000.00.
“Manchester United have registered an interest in hiring Ruben Amorim and paying his €10 million release clause.”
BREAKING: Manchester United pay release clause for Ruben Amorim
15:32 , Jamie Braidwood
Manchester United have paid the €10m release clause to Sporting Lisbon for Ruben Amorim to become their new manager.
Sporting have confirmed the release clause has been met and there are now no hurdles to overcome for Amorim to be named United’s next boss.
He could take charge against Chelsea on Sunday.
Ex-Manchester United coach highlights what was missing under Erik ten Hag
15:30 , Jack Rathborn
Former Manchester United first team coach Rene Meulensteen believes the club lost its ability to dominate possession in recent years and in particular under Erik ten Hag.
“He [Ten Hag] said, ‘he wanted to make United the quickest reaction team’, in other words, regain and straight away, bang, forward pass,” Meulensteen told The Overlap.
“There were plenty of moments in the game, when that forward pass is done, you need to keep the ball. What United have lost is that dominance in possession.
“We were big on dominance in possession, but the key is to turn that into a purposeful attack, it depends on the scoreline, but possession is important to drag people out of position. If it’s on, of course, you do it. I think they try it, lose it, so many players out of position and then they’re out.”
Manchester United’s fixtures as Ruben Amorim talks continue
15:10 , Jamie Braidwood
Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of Manchester United’s Carabao Cup tie at home to Leicester City tomorrow, with the club then hoping that Ruben Amorim could be installed to oversee the Premeir League clash at home to Chelsea on Sunday.
There is then a further week before the November international break. But with home games against PAOK and Leicester City, it’s as kind a start as you could realistically ask for…
30 October: vs Leicester (H) – Carabao Cup
3 November: vs Chelsea (H) – Premier League
7 November: vs PAOK (H) – Europa League
10 November: vs Leicester (H) – Premier League
24 November: vs Ipswich (A) – Premier League
28 November: vs Bodo/Glimt (H) – Europa League
1 December: vs Everton (H) – Premier League
4 December: vs Arsenal (A) – Premier League
States of Play: Miguel Delaney answers your questions
15:01 , Jack Rathborn
Ask Independent Sport chief football writer Miguel Delaney about his new book States of Play and Manchester United’s move for Ruben Amorim.
Submit your questions below and Miguel will answer them at 12pm Thursday.
Miguel Delaney answers your questions – from sportswashing to regulatory failures
Erik ten Hag believed another trophy would have made Man Utd season a success
14:45 , Jamie Braidwood
Erik ten Hag believed a third trophy in as many seasons would have made Manchester United’s current campaign a success.
The Dutchman was sacked by the club on Monday following a poor start to the season having registered only one win in their last eight games across all competitions.
Ten Hag’s final game in charge came on Sunday, where United were beaten 2-1 by West Ham in the Premier League.
He leaves Old Trafford having won two trophies with the club, the League Cup in his debut season followed by the FA Cup in May.
Erik ten Hag believed another trophy would have made Man Utd season a success
Ineos will have regrets over Erik ten Hag, claims Rio Ferdinand
14:26 , Jack Rathborn
Erik ten Hag’s sacking by Manchester United has been the biggest decision for club co-owner Jim Ratcliffe since he arrived in February but the fact that the club took so long to pull the trigger could go down as a major misstep in the Ineos era.
“I look at Ineos … did they back themselves into a corner with the way they handled stuff in the summer?” former United defender Rio Ferdinand said.
“Retrospectively, I think they’ll look back and go ‘you know we could have handled it differently, handled it better.'”
Talks continue between clubs over Ruben Amorim’s release clause
14:01 , Jamie Braidwood
While Manchester United are optimistic, there are potentially some issues still to be resolved over Ruben Amorim’s release clause.
Sources close to the Portuguese side insist that United have to pay €20m to get the deal done – but there is a belief an agreement could be struck for €10m.
Ruben Amorim ‘torn’ on leaving Sporting Lisbon
13:46 , Miguel Delaney
Ruben Amorim is said to be genuinely torn on leaving Sporting Lisbon so early into the campaign, and doesn’t want to be seen as someone who constantly departs jobs mid-season.
That already happened on leaving Braga to join Sporting in the first place, but the 39-year-old is nevertheless aware of the opportunity managing Manchester United represents.
Under Amorim, Sporting have made a 100 per cent start to the defence of their league title and sit three points above Porto in the table.
They’re also unbeaten in the Champions League with two wins and a draw from their first three matches of the league phase – sitting in a good position to qualify for the knockouts.
Manchester United want Ruben Amorim appointed as soon as possible
13:36 , Miguel Delaney
Ruben Amorim’s representatives floated the idea of agreeing a deal where he joins Manchester United at the end of the season – but the club’s new football leadership have been adamant they want Amorim to start as soon as possible.
Sporting, meanwhile, have already started considering alternatives, which speaks to the current state of discussions.
Latest: Man Utd’s talks with Ruben Amorim hinge on two potential issues
13:24 , Miguel Delaney
Manchester United’s talks with Ruben Amorim have advanced and the club are hoping to have the Portuguese in place in time for Sunday’s Premier League match against Chelsea.
Amorim wants to be Manchester United’s next manager and negotiations are ongoing over his coaching staff, the timing of his appointment, as well as his release fee with Sporting Lisbon.
Amorim is set to take charge of Sporting against Nacional in the Portuguese league cup on Tuesday night, in what is being viewed as potentially his last game for the club.
United first contacted the 39-year-old’s camp at the start of October – before the last international break – where they were initially expected to sack Erik ten Hag in a London meeting of the club’s hierarchy. Amorim was immediately open to the idea of managing United.
But club representatives came away believing there were two potential issues. One was that the coach’s preference was to leave Sporting at the end of the season and the other was the size of the clause, which could bring a fee of up to €20m.
Manchester United’s talks with Ruben Amorim hinge on two potential issues
Arne Slot backs Erik ten Hag after Man Utd sack
13:05 , Jamie Braidwood
Liverpool boss Arne Slot expects to see Erik ten Hag back ont he touchline at a big club again soon after he was sacked by Manchester United.
Slot only met Ten Hag once after arriving at Liverpool and handed his compatriot a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
“He’s a Dutch manager so it makes it even harder for me, for us as Dutch people,” Slot said earlier today when asked about Ten Hag’s dismissal.
“Always your first thoughts are with the person. We are all in this job so we know that it can happen but, if it happens, especially because I know him a little bit and I know how much work he puts into it, then to get this news for him is of course a pity.
“But we also know, especially us coming from Holland, how well he did at Ajax and that he won two trophies over here so we will see him I think in the near future at a big club again.
“But at this moment for him and his family it’s, of course – tragedy is maybe a bit too much to say – but it’s a big disappointment.”
Pep Guardiola backs Erik ten Hag to ‘come back stronger’
12:56 , Jamie Braidwood
Pep Guardiola said he feels “sorry” for Erik ten Hag after his rival at Manchester United was given the sack – but backed him to come back stronger.
Guardiola dominated Ten Hag’s team in the Premier League but the Dutchman enjoyed perhaps his greatest victory as United manager over him when United won last season’s FA Cup final.
“I feel very sorry for him, it’s one of the best jobs in football,” Guardiola said on Tuesday lunchtime.
“There’s only us, it’s not teachers or architects or something like that, I wish him all the best and he will come back stronger.
“If the results aren’t good enough, you get sacked, no one is different, myself included.”
Latest: Manchester United in talks to make Ruben Amorim new manager
12:45 , Jamie Braidwood
Manchester United in talks to make Ruben Amorim new manager to replace Erik ten Hag
Manchester United are in talks to try and appoint Ruben Amorim, with the Sporting head coach understood to be considering the opportunity to replace Erik ten Hag. The Old Trafford hierarchy have put the 39-year-old top of their list, having not considered him during the summer. They are also willing to negotiate with the Portuguese club about a release fee that is within the region of €10m (£8.3m).
United are seeking to impress on Amorim the opportunity that the job presents and there has been considerable progress on talks, to the point that Amorim’s coaching staff has been discussed.
Ruben Amorim responds to Manchester United links as talks progress
Bruno Fernandes on Ruben Amorim’s potential as a manager
12:25 , Jack Rathborn
Bruno Fernandes spoke glowingly last year about Ruben Amorim and his potential as a manager.
The Sporting boss has been tipped to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United and the Portuguese midfielder’s remarks from last year suggest he will be pleased with the potential appointment.
“I think all the qualities are there to be able to succeed in English, French, or Spanish football,” Fernandes told SportTV last year.
“Obviously, we know that the Premier League is probably the most desired. The qualities [to succeed in England] are there and he has everything to take the next step, in my opinion.”
Peter Schmeichel urges Manchester United to try ‘coach’ instead of ‘manager’
12:10 , Jack Rathborn
Peter Schmeichel has urged Manchester United to hire a coach, as opposed to a manager, to ensure they complement Ineos and the new structure at Old Trafford.
“The structure [at Manchester United] fits someone like Ruben Amorim or Thomas Frank,” Schmeichel tells BBC Sport. “We’ve not tried this yet, it could be the time to try a ‘coach’ [rather than a ‘manager’]. Roberto de Zerbi would have worked, he’s a pure coach.
“There’s a few names there on the list of possible candidates. That structure that they’ve put in place now, it has to work 100% to make it happen.”
Ruben Amorim in action at Old Trafford as a player
11:55 , Jack Rathborn
Ruben Amorim featured for Braga at Old Trafford against Manchester United back in 2012.
The hosts won 3-2 on the night, with Amorim featuring on the right-side of midfield for the Portuguese side.
Hugo Viana also played that evening, with the current Sporting director of sport poised to take over at Manchester City next season following Txiki Begiristain’s planned departure in 2025.
Ruben Amorim’s playing career with Benfica and Portugal
11:40 , Jamie Braidwood
Ruben Amorim’s stock has risen considerably throughout his four-year tenure at Sporting. He broke the domestic dominance of rivals Benfica and Porto by ending the club’s 19-year title drought with a memorable Primeira Liga triumph in 2021, alongside a League Cup victory.
Yet all his rapid success as a coach follows a successful 14-year career as a player, too, in which he won 14 caps for his native Portugal.
Amorim, who hails from Lisbon, made his senior first-team debut in 2003 for Belenenses in the Portuguese first division before signing for Benfica in the summer of 2008.
It was at the Estadio da Luz where he spent the majority of his playing days, making 154 appearances across six seasons in which he fell in and out of favour with long-term boss Jorge Jesus, playing mainly in central midfield but also utilised at right-back.
Man Utd interested in building under a younger manager?
11:25 , Jamie Braidwood
Should Ruben Amorim become Manchester United manager, he would be just the fourth Premier League manager under the age of 40.
The 39-year-old would be the fourth-youngest manager in the division, behind Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler (31), Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna and Southampton’s Russell Martin (both 38).
Who is Ruben Amorim? Why Sporting manager is wanted by Manchester United
10:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Ruben Amorim is in talks to become the next manager of Manchester United, with the 39-year-old set to finally take the next step in his coaching career after being linked with some of the biggest jobs in Europe as a result of his impressive work at Sporting Lisbon.
The Portuguese is considering the opportunity to replace Erik ten Hag as United negotiate with Sporting over his release fee. United’s football operations department placed Amorim at the top of their list and are hoping he can be convinced to leave Sporting mid-season.
If United are successful, they will appoint a manager who has been one of the most in-demand coaches in Europe over the last year.
Who is Ruben Amorim? Why Sporting manager is wanted by Manchester United
Sporting identify potential successor to Ruben Amorim
09:50 , Jack Rathborn
Ruben Amorim’s potential move to Manchester United has seen Sporting Lisbon move for a successor.
And Joao Pereira, currently in charge of the B team, has been identified as a candidate to take charge of the team, according to A Bola.
Pereira enjoyed three spells with Sporting during his playing career and was part of Amorim’s title-winning team in 2021.
“Joao Pereira is making his mark, I think he is an excellent coach,” Amorim said last season. “he has all the conditions to become Sporting ‘s coach.”
Manchester United in talks to make Ruben Amorim new manager to replace Erik ten Hag
08:40 , Jamie Braidwood
Manchester United are in talks to try and appoint Ruben Amorim, with the Sporting head coach understood to be considering the opportunity to replace Erik ten Hag. The Old Trafford hierarchy have put the 39-year-old top of their list, having not considered him during the summer. They are also willing to negotiate with the Portuguese club about a release fee that is within the region of €10m (£8.3m).
United are seeking to impress on Amorim the opportunity that the job presents and there has been considerable progress on talks, to the point that Amorim’s coaching staff has been discussed.
Manchester United in talks to make Ruben Amorim new manager to replace Erik ten Hag
Manchester United settle on ‘unanimous’ Erik ten Hag decision due to two clear reasons
06:00 , Mike Jones
Manchester United have sacked Erik ten Hag and put Ruud van Nistelrooy in interim charge after deciding there was no excuse for their current underachievement.
In a unanimous decision by the club’s new hierarchy, the Independent understands, United decided neither results nor performances were good enough to give them reasons to persist with Ten Hag.
United had triggered a one-year contract extension for the Dutchman – though only after speaking to a host of other managers – and in September, new chief executive Omar Berrada said they were “fully backing him” while sporting director Dan Ashworth also gave Ten Hag his support.
Man Utd settle on ‘unanimous’ Erik ten Hag decision due to two clear reasons
Even in glory, Erik ten Hag showed why Manchester United had to sack him
05:00 , Mike Jones
It says much about Manchester United’s decision on Monday to sack Erik ten Hag, as well as the club’s long-term indecision, that even the Dutch coach’s great victory offered reasons to make a change. In the days before May’s FA Cup final, the Dutch coach was insistent on going “toe to toe” with Manchester City. It was only after hours of internal debate, led by Darren Fletcher, that Ten Hag relented. He had to be told to go with different tactics.
United still persisted with the manager, even though the decision to make a change had largely been settled on before that final. That stance was revealed with how they essentially interviewed Ten Hag for his own job over the weeks after, in a first big move by the new Ineos football leadership. It immediately undermined another season. United’s multi-headed hierarchy couldn’t ultimately settle on the right replacement, which remains a problem. That, allied with initial fan emotion, was the only reason that the decision was delayed until now.
Even in glory, Erik ten Hag showed why Man Utd had to sack him
Next Manchester United manager odds: Two-horse race tipped after Erik ten Hag sacked
03:00 , Mike Jones
Manchester United are looking for a new manager after Erik ten Hag was sacked following a poor start to the season.
United are 14th in the Premier League after nine games, and lie 21st in the Europa League table have failed to win any of their opening three fixtures.
The defeat by West Ham United on the weekend was ironically one of the team’s better performances under Ten Hag this season, but it proved to be the final straw for the Ineos ownership as a string of missed chances resulted in a 2-1 loss.
Next Man Utd manager: Two-horse race underway after Ten Hag sacked
Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea posts mysterious tweet after Erik ten Hag sacked
02:00 , Mike Jones
The former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea posted a mysterious tweet on X – just hours after Erik ten Hag was sacked by the Old Trafford hierarchy.
De Gea left United in 2023 after contract talks with the club broke down. Erik ten Hag had made clear he planned to sign a goalkeeper who specialised with the ball at his feet, and United brought in Andre Onana that summer.
Now Ten Hag has himself departed after being sacked by the Ineos hierarchy following the weekend’s 2-1 defeat by West Ham United.
Ex-Man Utd goalkeeper David de Gea posts mysterious tweet after Erik ten Hag sacked
Fight’s been called off – Erik ten Hag like ‘boxer knocked down’ says Ferdinand
00:00 , Mike Jones
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand likened Erik ten Hag’s reign to a boxer getting “knocked down” and “never recovering”.
Ten Hag was sacked as United first-team manager on Monday following a disappointing start to the season.
They slipped into 14th in the Premier League table following their fourth league defeat of the season, by West Ham on Sunday.
Speculation had mounted over the Dutchman’s position in recent weeks and Ferdinand admitted he was unsurprised to see the boss go.
Fight’s been called off – Erik ten Hag like ‘boxer knocked down’ says Ferdinand
Ten Hag’s side conceded late goals
Monday 28 October 2024 23:30 , Mike Jones
26% – Seven of Erik ten Hag’s 27 Premier League defeats came via a 90th minute winner, the highest percentage of defeats to 90th minute goals of any manager to lose 20+ games in Premier League history.
Man United in talks to make Ruben Amorim new manager to replace Erik ten Hag
Monday 28 October 2024 19:29 , Miguel Delaney
Manchester United are in talks to try and appoint Ruben Amorim, with the Sporting CP head coach now understood to be considering the opportunity. The Old Trafford hierarchy have put the 39-year-old top of their list, having not considered him during the summer. They are also willing to negotiate with the Portuguese club about a release fee.
United are seeking to impress on Amorim the opportunity that the job presents, in what would almost serve as a clean slate. With interest having grown since the start of the season, Amorim is known to have been reluctant to leave Sporting mid-season. The Portuguese has restored the club to glory, and already has them clear at the top of the table in what would be a third title, after 2020-21 and 2023-24.
Man United in talks to make Amorim new manager to replace Ten Hag
Next Manchester United manager odds: Two-horse race tipped after Erik ten Hag sacked
Monday 28 October 2024 19:00 , Mike Jones
Manchester United are looking for a new manager after Erik ten Hag was sacked following a poor start to the season.
United are 14th in the Premier League after nine games, and lie 21st in the Europa League table having failed to win any of their opening three fixtures.
The defeat by West Ham United on the weekend was ironically one of the team’s better performances under Ten Hag this season, but it proved to be the final straw for the Ineos ownership as a string of missed chances resulted in a 2-1 loss.
Next Man Utd manager: Two-horse race underway after Ten Hag sacked
Bruno Fernandes sends message to Erik ten Hag after Manchester United sack manager
Monday 28 October 2024 18:45 , Mike Jones
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes thanked Erik ten Hag in a social media post shortly after the Dutchman was sacked just nine games into the Premier League season.
Ten Hag won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in his two-and-a-half years in charge and made Fernandes his captain after taking the armband off Harry Maguire in July 2023.
But United slumped to their worst-ever Premier League finish of 8th last campaign and results did not improve this season with just one win in their last eight games in all competitions.
Bruno Fernandes sends message to Erik ten Hag after Manchester United sack manager
Gary Neville reacts to Man Utd sacking Erik ten Hag and the moment he knew it was all over
Monday 28 October 2024 18:30 , Mike Jones
Gary Neville insists the beginning of the end for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United came after the humbling defeat to Tottenham last month.
The Dutch coach was sacked on Monday with the Red Devils languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table following a damaging defeat at West Ham.
And Neville has claimed the decision may have been ultimately made after the 3-0 loss to Spurs at Old Trafford.
Gary Neville reacts to Man Utd sacking Erik ten Hag
Even in glory, Erik ten Hag showed why Manchester United had to sack him
Monday 28 October 2024 18:00 , Mike Jones
It says much about Manchester United’s decision on Monday to sack Erik ten Hag, as well as the club’s long-term indecision, that even the Dutch coach’s great victory offered reasons to make a change. In the days before May’s FA Cup final, the Dutch coach was insistent on going “toe to toe” with Manchester City. It was only after hours of internal debate, led by Darren Fletcher, that Ten Hag relented. He had to be told to go with different tactics.
United still persisted with the manager, even though the decision to make a change had largely been settled on before that final. That stance was revealed with how they essentially interviewed Ten Hag for his own job over the weeks after, in a first big move by the new Ineos football leadership. It immediately undermined another season. United’s multi-headed hierarchy couldn’t ultimately settle on the right replacement, which remains a problem. That, allied with initial fan emotion, was the only reason that the decision was delayed until now.
Even in glory, Erik ten Hag showed why Man Utd had to sack him
Manchester United settle on ‘unanimous’ Erik ten Hag decision due to two clear reasons
Monday 28 October 2024 17:27 , Mike Jones
Manchester United have sacked Erik ten Hag and put Ruud van Nistelrooy in interim charge after deciding there was no excuse for their current underachievement.
In a unanimous decision by the club’s new hierarchy, the Independent understands, United decided neither results nor performances were good enough to give them reasons to persist with Ten Hag.
United had triggered a one-year contract extension for the Dutchman – though only after speaking to a host of other managers – and in September, new chief executive Omar Berrada said they were “fully backing him” while sporting director Dan Ashworth also gave Ten Hag his support.
Man Utd settle on ‘unanimous’ Erik ten Hag decision due to two clear reasons
The Manchester United failing that proved the death of Erik ten Hag
Monday 28 October 2024 16:15 , Mike Jones
There was a time when Manchester United came to West Ham, Wayne Rooney took aim from 57 yards and scored. Many a comparison with the past can damn this United side but, a decade on, Diogo Dalot came to West Ham, took aim at an unguarded goal from eight yards and missed. Whether it was excruciating or merely amusing depends on your perspective, but it was costly, summing up Manchester United’s self-destructive streak.
They contrived to lose a game in which they had been absurdly, astonishingly dominant before the break. Dalot was the worst offender but not the only one. “I collected six or seven 100 percent chances we should have scored,” said Erik Ten Hag. “But in football the best team does not always win.” And United’s finest half of the season still led to a fourth defeat.
The Manchester United failing that may prove the death of Erik ten Hag