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After Erik ten Hag's departure, discussions began about who could take over as manager of Manchester United. Following a disappointing three-year stint where Ten Hag tried to build a team capable of competing at the top, the club decided to part ways with him and search for a new coach. The leaders of the club had a long patience, but the defeat by West Ham in London was the final straw.
Names like Gareth Southgate, Thomas Tuchel, and Graham Potter were mentioned in the media, but ultimately, United chose Ruben Amorim as their new manager. The Portuguese coach had achieved great things with Sporting over the past three years and couldn't turn down the chance to manage such a prestigious club. He knew that Manchester United was an opportunity that doesn't come around often.
It’s interesting to see how the negotiations grew and how much money United was willing to spend to bring him in.
Sporting could have made things difficult for Manchester, but instead, they showed what needed to be done. United paid more than they should have, giving Sporting everything they wanted to avoid wasting time and secure Ruben Amorim as their new manager. The agreement is set until the summer of 2027, with an option for another year. Everything is finalized; they just need to sort out Amorim's work permit.
However, whether he will last at Old Trafford until then is uncertain. Despite his reputation and skills, managing at Manchester United is demanding. Once a coveted position, it's now seen as a risky job. Only the boldest or craziest would want to take the role. Amorim is willing, but he can't take over immediately. The notice period was supposed to be 30 days, but it was shortened, costing Manchester United an extra €1 million on top of the €10 million they paid.
He won't be able to start right away and will begin on November 11. Until then, Ruud van Nistelrooy will lead the team, starting with the match against Chelsea in the Premier League and continuing with games against PAOK in the Europa League and Leicester.
Amorim had great success in Portugal, winning the League Cup with Braga and twice with Sporting, where he also claimed the Super Cup. Now at Old Trafford, he will need to bring order to the team and push them back into contention for international competitions.
Many believe that Ruben Amorim faces a tough challenge ahead. While Manchester United has plenty of talented players, the question remains: how will he perform in the highly competitive Premier League, where any team can beat another? The situation is quite different in the Portuguese league and other European leagues.
That said, Amorim isn’t afraid of the challenge. Despite having a successful season with Sporting, he decided to accept the offer from the Red Devils and embark on this demanding journey. United has had a disastrous start to the season, both in the league and Europe.
Fans are not happy with the current performances, which fall far below the standards of a club like Manchester United. Perhaps Amorim’s arrival will be the spark that brings about the change they desperately need.
Ruud van Nistlerooy on Erik ten Hag
After a series of poor results, Erik ten Hag has left Manchester United, much to the relief of many fans. He’s been replaced by another Dutchman, Ruud van Nistelrooy, who guided the team to a 5-2 victory against Leicester in the League Cup.
After the match, van Nistelrooy spoke about ten Hag’s departure for the first time. He highlighted that it was ten Hag who brought him to the club and expressed his sadness over the situation. "The days leading up to Erik's dismissal were filled with mixed emotions. It was tough to see him go. He was the one who brought me here to United. In our first conversation, he showed such passion for this club. We connected, and it was hard to watch him leave," said van Nistelrooy.
It will be interesting to see where Erik ten Hag continues his career and which club he ends up with. He will likely receive several offers, but seeing what he chooses for his future will be interesting. On the other hand, Ruben Amorim could play a crucial role for the team, and fans believe that he is exactly what this club needs right now.
Looking at the last ten years, there have been many changes in the managerial position at United, which doesn’t exactly inspire optimism. Fans are hoping that Amorim can bring some much-needed stability and success to the club.
With this move, United's leaders could cause the fans to be amazed, but at the same time disappointed. We will see what will happen.
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