Mourinho backs Amorim for Man Utd success as TRUE cost of Sporting CP manager emerges

Robin Bairner

• 30 Oct 2024 08:30 GMT
• 3 min read

Jose Mourinho says incoming Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has the capability to succeed where Erik ten Hag failed at Old Trafford.

Man Utd have triggered Amorim’s release clause with Sporting CP, with only the fine details of the deal to be worked out before the Portuguese is named as Ten Hag’s replacement following the Dutchman’s sacking.

Mourinho, who managed at Old Trafford from 2016-18, has backed his compatriot for success, even claiming he has the capacity to manage at any club.

Speaking to Mais Futebol earlier this year, he was asked about the 39-year-old and responded: “It's also a question I shouldn't answer, but what can I tell you? I like Amorim as a person, I like him as a coach.

“I think he has the conditions to be able to coach in any league and he has the conditions to be able to coach in any club. But he's in a good league and he's in a big club. The decision is his and it will be up to the clubs that want him or not, to convince him with more or less arguments. What is clear from my side is that I like the person and I like the coach.”

READ MORE: Amorim requests TRIPLE Sporting swoop – including Antony replacement

Man Utd pay more than €15m for Amorim and his team

While Amorim has not personally confirmed the deal has been done, Sporting’s 3-1 win over Nacional in the Taca da Liga on Tuesday had the feel of a goodbye match.

Man Utd have paid the €10 million to the Lisbon club to release Amorim from his deal, but the total cost of bringing him to Old Trafford will be greater than that, according to O Jogo.

The Red Devils have also had to pay €5m to release Amorim’s assistants from their contracts at Sporting CP, with a further payment of an undisclosed amount required to for the coach to waive his 30-day notice period.