Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has shared his thoughts on Manchester United’s reported decision to pursue Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim as their next head coach, following Erik ten Hag’s departure. United sacked Ten Hag on Monday, a day after a disappointing 2-1 loss to West Ham, which left them struggling at 14th place in the Premier League standings. Since then, the club has been actively seeking a new leader to steer the team back to success. Ruben Amorim, who has made a name for himself with his impressive tactics and leadership at Sporting, has emerged as United’s top target.
Manchester United, according to sources, have reached an agreement with Amorim and are prepared to pay the €10 million (around £8.3 million) release clause required to release him from his Sporting contract. However, there are still some administrative and logistical issues to sort out, including arranging for Amorim’s entire coaching staff to accompany him to Old Trafford. Additionally, United is reportedly negotiating a payout to waive Amorim’s contractual notice period, which would otherwise delay his arrival.
In anticipation of Manchester City’s upcoming League Cup clash with Tottenham Hotspur, Guardiola was asked to weigh in on the rumored move by United to bring Amorim on board. The City manager offered his assessment of the Portuguese manager, whom he’s faced in competition and heard high praise for from other players.
**Guardiola’s Perspective on Ruben Amorim’s Capabilities**
“All I can talk about is the experience of playing twice against Ruben’s Sporting Lisbon team, one or two seasons ago,” Guardiola said, referring to City’s previous encounters with Sporting in European competition. “The pressure he brought in those matches was really, really good. I spoke with Matheus Nunes, who played under him, and he speaks highly about Ruben.” Guardiola further acknowledged Sporting’s current success, noting, “This season, he’s unbeaten, winning all the games in the Portuguese league and doing just as well in the Champions League, with the same points as us. So he’s a high-level manager.”
Guardiola commended United’s rumored choice to target Amorim, emphasizing that a club of United’s caliber carefully selects managers with proven credentials. “Man Utd don’t appoint managers who aren’t at that level, so for the last five, six, seven years, we cannot say they are not able to lead Man Utd,” he added. United fans, desperate to see their club return to the upper echelons of English and European football, may find optimism in Guardiola’s evaluation of Amorim’s strengths.
However, Guardiola also cautioned that Amorim’s success at Sporting doesn’t guarantee he will seamlessly transform United. “What’s going to happen, I don’t know,” Guardiola remarked. “What happened here in my experience doesn’t mean it works for everyone else. It’s not just the manager — it’s the team, the club, the structures, the physios, the doctors, the players. There are so many elements at play.” Guardiola’s advice reflects a broader understanding of football management, where success is often the result of well-orchestrated teamwork across various roles, not solely a manager’s individual brilliance.
**A Show of Support for Ten Hag and an Invitation to Visit City**
Beyond discussing Amorim, Guardiola took a moment to express his sympathy for Erik ten Hag, his former assistant at Bayern Munich. “I feel so sorry for Ten Hag,” Guardiola said, noting that the Dutchman is a highly skilled coach who has the resilience to overcome setbacks. He voiced his confidence that Ten Hag would “come back stronger” after this period and hinted at the possibility of collaborating again.
Guardiola even extended a warm, albeit unusual, offer to Ten Hag, suggesting that he could visit the Manchester City facilities. “We are open to Erik ten Hag visiting us,” Guardiola said. “Any time! Seriously! Always we are open, but I think it’s not going to happen. But I know his agent a little bit, so the relation is there, no problem for me, for us.” The invitation reflects the close relationship and respect Guardiola maintains for his former colleague. Although it’s unlikely Ten Hag would accept this offer so soon after his departure from a major rival, it underscores Guardiola’s commitment to supporting colleagues in the industry.
**The Implications of Ruben Amorim’s Appointment at United**
Amorim’s impending appointment has broader implications for Manchester United. With Ten Hag’s exit, United’s interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who returned to the club just this past summer, may also leave Old Trafford. Reports suggest that Amorim plans to bring his entire coaching team from Sporting, a move that could eliminate the possibility of retaining Van Nistelrooy in the management setup. This is particularly unfortunate for fans who viewed the former United striker as a potential future head coach at the club.
Additionally, new information has surfaced about players that Ten Hag attempted to bring to United but was unable to secure. A report from *The Athletic* indicates that Ten Hag had pursued several high-profile talents, including some who eventually signed with rival Premier League teams. Two of Ten Hag’s primary targets, for instance, joined Liverpool and Arsenal instead. These missed transfer opportunities may have complicated Ten Hag’s efforts to mold the squad in his vision. As a result, he had to settle for alternatives, such as Mason Mount and Lisandro Martinez, rather than securing his top picks.
**Amorim’s Success at Sporting: A New Hope for United?**
Ruben Amorim’s reputation as an emerging coaching talent is well-established in Europe, especially following his transformative impact at Sporting CP. The Portuguese manager led Sporting to the Primeira Liga title in the 2020-21 season, ending the club’s nearly two-decade title drought. Since then, he has maintained Sporting’s competitive form, both domestically and in the Champions League, earning him a reputation as a meticulous strategist with the potential to succeed at bigger clubs. His innovative approach, focus on youth development, and adaptability are qualities that United’s board hopes can reinvigorate the team’s performance in the Premier League.
While Guardiola’s praise suggests that Amorim has the credentials to take on a high-profile role at Old Trafford, the road to restoring United’s dominance will be challenging. Nevertheless, United fans may find hope in the club’s latest decision to bring in a young, ambitious coach who could align with the players and board in a way previous managers have struggled to achieve. Whether Amorim’s arrival signals a new era for United remains to be seen, but for now, he is the club’s chosen leader as they seek to rebuild their legacy.