At least there isn't a recent example of Manchester United gazumping Manchester City to sign a 30-something Portuguese and it turning into an expensive farrago. The Sporting manager, Rúben Amorim, had been heavily touted to join City next summer should Pep Guardiola decide to stand down, particularly after the club's director of football, Hugo Viana, was named as successor to Txiki Begiristain at the Etihad Stadium. But yesterday Amorim emerged as the preferred candidate to replace Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman was dismissed.
Amorim is no Cristiano Ronaldo. When Ronaldo rejoined United in 2021 his playing career was winding down, and he was a terrible fit for either the rapid counterattacking favoured by Ole Gunnar Solskjær, or for the industrious pressing demanded by Ralf Rangnick. Managing to offload him relatively cleanly was probably Ten Hag's greatest achievement at Old Trafford. Amorim, by contrast, is a manager on the way up. The 39-year-old is arguably the brightest of the hugely promising generation of young Portuguese coaches and, as well as being linked with City, he was considered in the summer by Liverpool before they turned to Arne Slot.
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Patience finally snapped at Old Trafford after bosses grew tired of the excuses
There were plenty of times over the past 14 months when sacking Erik ten Hag would have been justified but Manchester United clung on in the hope he could somehow turn things around.
Ten Hag saga is major black eye for Ineos as United's brand is dying
Ratcliffe now has a hugely important decision if his club are to stop being a fading heritage exhibition
Taking United job would be enormous risk for Amorim
job would be enormous risk for Amorim
A view from the stands Going full Woodward is incompetent or cowardly
It was about half an hour after the final whistle at the FA Cup final when I had my exchange with Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Van Nistelrooy has learned from the very best coaches
Dutchman took inspiration from Bielsa, Ferguson, Simeone and Robson in developing his own style
Rodri and Bonmati scoop top prizes as Real boycott big night
Rodri and Aitana Bonmati have been named winners at the 2024 Ballon d'Or at football's annual awards ceremony in Paris, their trophies handed out at the end of a bizarre day in which Real Madrid's delegation opted not to attend.
Stanway: Lionesses must evolve as plateau is 'inevitable'
Georgia Stanway said it is \"inevitable\" that England will plateau after their huge success and that they need to reinvent themselves to avoid becoming predictable.
Everything's starting to come together
Jack Draper's improvement in his breakthrough season has resulted from his greater fearlessness under pressure
Verstappen's ruthless streak on show again in Norris battle
Two races and two flashpoints, the world championship battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris is in full flow.
Curry poised for England return against All Blacks
Sale flanker expected to start after recovery from hip injury that threatened his career
