Sporting Lisbon are reportedly holding up Ruben Amorim’s move to Manchester United by ‘changing the terms of the deal. The Portuguese coach is claimed to be desperate to become Erik ten Hag’s successor at Old Trafford, with the Premier League side keen for him to be in charge of Sunday’s clash with Chelsea.
Sporting announced on Tuesday that United had signalled their intention to pay Amorim’s £8.3million (€10m) release clause. That clause is reportedly valid for top European clubs.
However, Portuguese publication A Bola report that Sporting want an extra £4.1m (€5m) to release Amorim’s coaching staff to United. It is also claimed that the Portuguese club have 30 days to release their manager, even after the money is paid.
Sporting reportedly want to negotiate an even larger sum to waive Amorim’s notice period.
INEOS figureheads, who now oversee the sporting structure at United, want a swift appointment. Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of tonight’s EFL Cup tie against Leicester.
It is reportedly hoped that Amorim will lead training ahead of Sunday’s visit of Chelsea to Old Trafford. That match presents a crunch potential first fixture for the incoming Red Devils boss, who will want to get off to a positive start.
If Amorim does bring in his own staff, it remains to be seen what happens to the sporting structure appointed by INEOS to surround Ten Hag in the summer. Out went the Dutchman’s trusted assistants Steve McClaren and Mitchell van der Gaag.
In came Van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake to assist Ten Hag. Amorim may decide that he wants to bring in his own backroom team.
The 39-year-old has already been given the vote of confidence by club captain Bruno Fernandes. Speaking to Sport TV last year, the midfielder said of the highly-rated tactician: “I think all the qualities are there to be able to succeed in English, French, or Spanish football.
“Obviously, we know that the Premier League is probably the most desired. The qualities [to succeed in England] are there and he has everything to take the next step, in my opinion.”
Ten Hag was dismissed with United 14th in the Premier League. He had overseen only three wins in nine league matches and had failed to win any of his first three Europa League games. Last Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce came exactly a year after the Red Devils’ last win in a European competition.
