Manchester United have confirmed Ruben Amorim as their new head coach, with the Portuguese set to join the Red Devils during this month’s international break.
Amorim has signed a two-and-a-half year contract at Old Trafford until June 2027. Sporting confirmed in a statement that United have agreed to pay 11m euros (£9.25m) to trigger a release clause in Amorim’s contract.
The 39-year-old will resume his duties as Sporting manager until their final fixture against Braga on November 10, before taking over at United on November 11 when the international break starts. His first game at the helm will be their Premier League trip to Ipswich Town on November 24 with his Theatre of Dreams bow four days later against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.
Amorim replaces Erik ten Hag at Manchester United – with the Dutchman sacked on Monday after a disastrous start to the season.
Club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy will remain as interim manager until Amorim’s arrival. Van Nistelrooy, who re-joined United as Ten Hag’s assistant this summer, saw his first game in charge result in a 5-2 win over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup. He remaining games are Sunday’s Premier League clash with Chelsea, PAOK in the Europa League (November 7) and Leicester in the league (November 10).
Manchester United ‘delighted’ with Ruben Amorim
In a short statement on Friday, United expressed their delight at securing the services of Amorim.
‘Manchester United is delighted to announce the appointment of Ruben Amorim as Head Coach of the men’s first team, subject to work visa requirements,’ it read.
‘He will join until June 2027 with a club option of an additional year, once he has fulfilled his obligations to his current club. He will join Manchester United on Monday 11 November.
‘Ruben is one of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football. Highly decorated as both a player and coach, his titles include winning the Primeira Liga twice in Portugal with Sporting CP; the first of which was the club’s first title in 19 years.
‘Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue to take charge of the team until Ruben joins.’
Amorim is the sixth permanent manager United have appointed since Sir Alex Ferguson’s 26-year reign ended with his retirement in 2013. He is the first United boss to have the title of head coach rather than manager.
Ruben Amorim’s managerial record so far
A former Benfica and Portugal midfielder, Amorim retired as a player in 2017 and two years later took up his first managerial job at Braga.
The Portuguese then joined Sporting in March 2020, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most sought-after young coaches, twice guiding the club to the Primeira Liga title.
Amorim has also won the Taca da Liga – the Portuguese League Cup – on three occasions, twice with Sporting and once with Braga.
