Man Utd beat Bayern and Barcelona to 'next big thing'

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 3 Nov 2024 12:13 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United beat Bayern Munich and Barcelona to the ‘signing’ of new manager Ruben Amorim.

Amorim was announced as the next permanent Man Utd head coach earlier this week following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.

The 39-year-old will remain at Sporting Lisbon until 11 November due to a notice period clause in his contract with his first official game as Man Utd boss coming against Ipswich Town on 24 November.

READ MORE: How Man Utd will line up under Ruben Amorim

In hiring Amorim, United had to pay the €10 million release clause in his Sporting Lisbon contract.

United decided to pay this significant amount and move for Amorim because, according to Miguel Delaney, it was a rare chance to hire the ‘next big thing’ in football management.

The United hierarchy were well aware that Amorim was wanted by a number of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Indeed, both Bayern Munich and Barcelona considered Amorim as potentially their next manager, while other big clubs were also waiting in the wings.

Thus, Man Utd decided to move now while their rivals were not in a position to offer Amorim a job.

They are certain that they have hired a coach who will prove to be one of the best managers of his generation.

Amorim joins Man Utd

In completing his switch from Sporting CP to Man Utd, Amorim has taken on one of the hardest coaching jobs in football, becoming the sixth permanent head coach since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.

However, the 39-year-old arrives with a glowing reputation. Amorim won two Portuguese league titles with Sporting CP, which saw him end the club's 19-year Primeira Liga drought. Additionally, he won two League Cups and the Portuguese Supercup in 2021.

Amorim is a revered figure in Lisbon, although he has never made a secret of his desire to coach in the Premier League one day. Earlier this year, he flew to London for talks with West Ham but nothing came of it and he had to publicly apologise to Sporting and the club's supporters for engaging in talks mid-season.

Now, one of Europe's most highly sought-after coaching commodities has fulfilled his Premier League dream. Can he be the man to finally turn Man Utd's fortunes around?