“It’s also a question I shouldn’t answer” - Jose Mourinho’s old comments on Ruben Amorim joining big club resurface amid Manchester United links
Legendary Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho's old comments about Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim have resurfaced amid rumors linking the latter to the top job at Manchester United. The Red Devils are on the lookout for a new tactician after parting ways with Dutchman Erik ten Hag, following a dismal start to their 2024-25 campaign.
Mourinho won the Europa League, EFL Cup, and FA Community Shield (all in 2016-17) during his two-and-a-half-year stint at United (July 2016-December 2018). Since his departure from Old Trafford, he has managed Tottenham Hotspur and AS Roma and is currently at the helm for Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
With Manchester United struggling in 14th place in the Premier League, collecting just 11 points after nine games, the club decided to sack Ten Hag on Monday (October 28). While they look for a long-term replacement, the administration have announced that assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy will take over as an interim caretaker.
A slew of names are doing the rounds as potential successors to Ten Hag, including Julian Nagelsmann and Xavi Hernandez. However, according to multiple reports (Ben Jacobs, David Ornstein), Amorim has already agreed verbal terms to join the club.
In May 2024, Mourinho spoke highly about the 39-year-old tactician, claiming that he has what it takes to succeed at a big club like Manchester United. In an interview with Mais Esporte, Mourinho said (via United In Focus):
"It's also a question I shouldn’t answer, what can I tell him? I like him as a person, I like him as a coach. I think he has the conditions to be able to coach in any league and he has the conditions to be able to coach in any club."
"The decision is his and it will be up to the clubs that want him or not, to convince him with more or less arguments. What is clear from my side is that I like the person and I like the coach," Mourinho concluded.
Amorim's Sporting CP currently sit atop the Liga Portugal standings, with a perfect record of nine wins in nine games (30 goals scored, two conceded).
"A risky one" - Paul Scholes makes claim about Manchester United-linked coach Ruben Amorim
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has claimed that the appointment of Ruben Amorim as the club's new head coach would be 'risky.' The ex-English midfielder opined that the next manager of the Red Devils should have some experience at an elite club.
Speaking to the official Premier League website, the 49-year-old said (via Manchester Evening News):
"Amorim is an interesting one. But, again, that is a risky one. We all know the style of play. (He) plays really good football... Most of these managers (linked with United), they’ve been at clubs where the expectation probably is not as high."
"I think (Ten Hag’s replacement) needs to have experience at an elite football club. This is one of the very biggest clubs in the world, so they should have the very best in class," Scholes added.
While the search for Manchester United's next manager continues, interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to take charge of his first game, a Round-of-16 fixture in the EFL Cup against Leicester City on Wednesday (October 30).