Ruben Amorim says he never spoke to Manchester City about becoming Pep Guardiola's replacement as the Manchester United head coach prepares for his first derby in charge.
The 39-year-old established himself as one of Europe's finest up-and-coming coaches with his transformational work at Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon. United quickly moved to appoint Amorim after sacking Erik ten Hag in late October, when he had been linked to City amid uncertainty over Guardiola's future.
The fact Sporting director of football Hugo Viana is taking that role at the Etihad Stadium next summer added an extra dimension, but Amorim insists the Old Trafford post was his only ambition. Asked if he ever had a conversation about the prospect of joining City at any point, Amorim said: "Never. Never had and this was my only option."
"When Manchester United talked to me, I had no doubts because I had already something in my mind [that] it could be a possibility. With Manchester City or Hugo Viana? Nothing about that."
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin December 14, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin December 14, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Amorim 'never' spoke to City about replacing Guardiola
New Manchester United head coach is preparing for his first derby tomorrow against the wounded champions
Latest figures show UK economy shrinks again
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the unexpected fall in GDP was driven by declines in construction and production, while the dominant services sector stagnated.
Manager is 'sad' for his players as toll mounts
Pep Guardiola is feeling the pain of Manchester City's crushing loss of form but insists \"the soul and the spirit of this team is there.\"
10 things to look out for this weekend
A Manchester derby at a bad time for both teams, managers with shared values and Forest's European dream
Tuchel to sound out 'gentleman' Southgate for qualification tips
New England coach to seek out predecessor and Carsely for 2026 World Cup guidance
I'm not going to worry about bruised egos - we're in a fight
Ange Postecoglou Spurs manager says Werner blast a call to arms
Littler sets sights on glory after 'crazy' year
Teenage superstar hopes to go one better after his remarkable run to the final of the World Championship
Phil Vickery: 'I'm not angry, I'm not bitter, but I will need help
The former England captain on CTE, legal action and a 21-year reunion for the 2003 World Cup winners
'Multiple bids' for stakes in Hundred sides, ECB chief says
The England and Wales Cricket Board is increasingly confident of selling lucrative stakes in all eight Hundred teams, harnessing money it believes will safeguard the county game for the next quarter of a century.
Can billionaire media moguls be trusted in America?
If we want to know what news organisations will look like under the second Trump administration in America, well, we are beginning to get an idea.
