OFFICIAL: Man Utd appoint Ruben Amorim

Jacque Talbot

Updated: 1 Nov 2024 07:37 CDT
4 min read

Manchester United have officially announced the appointment of Ruben Amorim as their new head coach, starting from November 11.

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Sporting CP already confirmed on October 29 that the Premier League giants were ready to pay the required compensation, with a 'pact' allowing Amorim to join a top European club for around half of his €20m release clause.

Man Utd entered talks with Amorim’s representatives after part-owners Ineos decided to sack manager Erik ten Hag on October 28. Amorim has penned a three-year deal with an option for a further season at Old Trafford. He will begin in his new role on November 11.

Ten Hag left United in 14th place in the league after nine games, with 11 points, eight goals and a goal difference of -3. At the time of his departure, the side were 21st of 36 in the Europa League after drawing their opening three matches.

Club legend and assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy was put in temporary charge after his compatriot's dismissal, but Man Utd moved swiftly to replace Ten Hag, having already begun succession planning in the summer.

Sporting reveal cost of Amorim

In an official statement, Sporting published the exact fee Man Utd will have to pay for Amorim, with the compensation amounting to €11m, reported to consist of €10m for the coach and €1m for his staff.

Additionally, Sporting announced that they will have "a benefit of €1.7m relating to the extinction of credit rights, recorded as liabilities and contingent liabilities, as a result of the revocation and renegotiation of contracts relating to intermediation fees."

The club, naturally, did not disclose the details of Amorim's contract, but it has been reported that he will earn an annual salary of €7.8m per season at Man Utd.

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 publically 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?