Ruben Amorim has revealed he asked the Manchester United hierarchy if he could wait until the end of the season to take over at Old Trafford.
Amorim has become the seventh permanent hire since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club in 2013.
Speaking after Friday night’s win in Lisbon, Amorim said: “I can’t say much. It’s a phase where people feel what they have to feel. I wanted to explain the situation.
“At the beginning of the season, and the chairman is there to confirm it, I had a conversation with him and Viana, and I said that, whatever happened, it was my last season at Sporting. The season started and we started to have a very good season.
“United came along, paid the clause, above the clause, and the chairman defended his interests. I never discussed anything with the chairman.
“The only request I made was that it would be at the end of the season and they told me that wasn’t possible, that it was now or never.”
Making reference to offers he’s recieved from other clubs, he added: “I had three days to decide on something that would completely change my life.
“It’s not the first time that l’ve had my clause paid by another club. Nor the second. I wanted that club and that context. It’s just like Sporting. It’s very hard for me to leave.
“More for me than for any other Sporting fan. There was no confusion at all. We have to safeguard everyone’s interests. Far from playing the victim, I had to, in this dead zone, the only person who is here is me. I said I would stay for as many games as necessary.
“I didn’t say anything earlier because I couldn’t. That’s how the decision is.”
“The club appeared that I knew that if I rejected it, I wouldn’t have it in six months. And I knew that in six months I would know that I wouldn’t be at Sporting. The only club that I wanted and that moved me.
“It got to a point where I had to decide and I did. Now l’m going home much more relaxed. I would earn three times more with the last club that paid my clause. I gave everything I had for Sporting.
“I love this club, the people, and the staff but I had to make a decision. Shall I stay or go? My choice was to go now because I was told it was now or never and I had to make my choice.”
MORE TO FOLLOW
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit: /sport/football. Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @dexpress_sport – the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account – providing real news in real time.
We’re also on Facebook @dailyexpresssport – offering your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day to like, comment and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Express.co.uk.
