Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola recently shared his thoughts on Manchester United’s potential new managerial hire, Ruben Amorim, and offered public support to Erik ten Hag following his recent dismissal from Old Trafford. The sacking of Ten Hag came on the heels of United’s 2-1 loss to West Ham United, a result that left the Red Devils in a troubling 14th position in the Premier League. Amid mounting pressure, United has acted swiftly, reportedly finalizing terms with Amorim, the Sporting CP coach widely regarded as a rising talent in European football.
While United has been linked with several potential managerial candidates—names like Brentford’s Thomas Frank, former Chelsea manager Graham Potter, and Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe—Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim is the man they have reportedly chosen to guide United back to glory. Reports indicate that the club is prepared to activate Amorim’s release clause, totaling around €10 million (£8.3 million / $10.8 million). Talks with Sporting CP are underway not only to secure Amorim’s services but also to bring his key coaching staff along with him to Manchester.
However, the timeline for Amorim’s arrival remains uncertain, with United reportedly negotiating terms with Sporting to expedite the process and potentially waive Amorim’s notice period. The prospect of Amorim’s imminent arrival has sparked interest across the Premier League, especially as United attempts to restructure their squad and strategy after a rocky start to the season.
Ahead of City’s League Cup match against Tottenham Hotspur, Guardiola was asked for his opinion on United’s likely new manager. Drawing from his own experience facing Amorim’s Sporting Lisbon squad, Guardiola spoke highly of the Portuguese coach. Reflecting on City’s encounters with Sporting in European competition, he said, “All I can talk about is the experience of playing twice against Ruben’s Sporting Lisbon team, one or two seasons ago, and the pressure was really, really good.”
He added that he had received additional insight from Matheus Nunes, one of Amorim’s former players, who holds his former coach in high regard. “This season, Sporting is unbeaten in the Portuguese league and performing exceptionally well in the Champions League, holding the same points as us. So, a high-level manager. I hear that Man Utd is thinking about him, and it’s because he’s good. United doesn’t choose managers who lack that level,” Guardiola said.
Despite his praise, Guardiola cautioned that success at United is far from guaranteed for Amorim. He noted that while Amorim has achieved remarkable results at Sporting, a transition to a club as complex as Manchester United poses unique challenges. Guardiola elaborated, “What’s going to happen, I don’t know. Just because it worked for me here doesn’t mean it will work elsewhere. Every team is different—the manager, the team, the club, the structures, the physios, the doctors, the players. There are so many factors.”
Guardiola also took a moment to sympathize with Ten Hag, who previously served as his assistant at Bayern Munich. Despite the recent struggles, he expressed confidence in Ten Hag’s resilience and potential for a comeback. “I feel so sorry for Ten Hag. I know he’ll come back stronger,” Guardiola stated. Offering to share his insights, Guardiola extended an invitation to Ten Hag to visit City’s training sessions. “We are open to Erik ten Hag visiting us, any time! Seriously! Always open, though I think it’s not likely to happen. But I know his agent a little bit, so there’s a connection there.”
Meanwhile, the appointment of Amorim could lead to further changes at Old Trafford. Rumors suggest that Ruud van Nistelrooy, currently serving as interim manager, may also be on his way out. The former United striker only returned to the club in the summer, and some speculated he might one day take over as the permanent manager. However, with Amorim set to bring his own staff, van Nistelrooy’s role may no longer fit within the revamped setup.
Beyond the managerial shifts, a report from *The Athletic* provided additional insight into Ten Hag’s tenure and some of his unfulfilled transfer ambitions. The Dutchman reportedly attempted to bring in former Ajax stars Ryan Gravenberch and Jurrien Timber, both of whom he was eager to reunite with at United. However, United failed to secure these players, who ultimately joined rival clubs Liverpool and Arsenal instead. Left without his preferred signings, Ten Hag settled for alternative options, including Mason Mount and Lisandro Martinez.
United’s rapid pursuit of Amorim underscores their ambition to rebuild quickly and find stability under a new manager. With a background in nurturing young talent and success in the Portuguese league, Amorim’s profile aligns with United’s need for a fresh tactical approach and a rejuvenated squad strategy. However, Guardiola’s comments highlight that the journey back to prominence in English and European football is fraught with complexities, even for the most talented managers.
As United awaits Amorim’s potential arrival, fans and analysts alike are hopeful that his influence could lead the club to a new era of success. For now, the club remains in a state of transition, with numerous decisions to make about the future structure of the coaching team and player recruitment strategies. United’s commitment to Amorim represents a substantial gamble on his capabilities, one that will soon reveal whether he can indeed guide the club back to the glory days that many have longed to see restored at Old Trafford.