Sporting has announced that Manchester United has expressed an interest in hiring their head coach, Rúben Amorim, as reported to the Securities Market Commission (CMVM) in Lisbon. The Premier League heavyweight are willing to cough up the €10m (£8.3m) payout for the 39-year-old coach’s release clause.
Earlier, Manchester United’s chances of acquiring Amorim were amplified when Sporting agreed terms with João Pereira as a potential successor if Amorim should depart. Following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag on Monday, the Red Devils initiated discussions with Amorim’s agents, proposing a contract of approximately £6.5m per annum for three years. Amorim’s release clause stands at £8.3m for “major clubs”, with a higher price tag for smaller ones.
United is anticipated to send their representatives to Lisbon for further deliberations on Tuesday night, as per Portuguese media A Bola. While Sporting has managed to retain Amorim amidst interest from Liverpool and West Ham in summer, they are now bracing for his exit, viewing Pereira as an ideal replacement.
Pereira, a former right-back, has experience playing for Alvalade in three distinct periods and enjoyed league victory in 2021 under Amorim’s tutelage. Currently coaching Sporting’s reserve team, Pereira came highly recommended by Amorim in May. He praised Pereira’s efforts with the B team and identified him as an “excellent coach” possessing necessary traits to lead the club’s first team.
The 40-year-old Pereira, who made 40 appearances for Portugal between 2010 and 2014, was assigned as an assistant coach for the under-23 side in the 2021-22 season, then transitioning to the role of head coach in the subsequent season. He was promoted to manage the reserves at the commencement of this current season, who presently sit fifth in their tier, Liga 3 Serie B.