Ruben Amorim will be the next head coach of Manchester United but will not take over until the November international break. United finalized a deal early on Thursday that will see them pay $10.9 million to terminate the Sporting manager’s contract in addition to an extra $1.1 million that will allow the 39-year-old to end his notice period slightly ahead of its one-month conclusion.
An announcement on Amorim’s appointment is expected within the next 24 hours, per CBS Sports sources, but the new United manager will remain in Lisbon for the time being. Amorim, who sources say wanted to depart Sporting “through the front door,” will remain in place for the next three games, bidding farewell to the Jose Alvalade Stadium in a Champions League match against Manchester City before his final game, away to Braga.
Amorim will then be due in Manchester on Nov. 11, where he will have nearly two weeks to ready himself for his first game in charge, away to Ipswich Town. Before then, interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy will lead preparations for games against Chelsea, PAOK and Leicster City.
Whether Van Nistelrooy, who beat Leicester 5-2 in the EFL Cup last 16 in his first match in charge, remains once Amorim takes charge is unclear. Part of the additional fee United are paying is to allow their new head coach to bring his staff with him. It is believed Amorim will be joined by five of his Sporting colleagues, a group including coaches Manuel Ferro, Adelio Candido and Carlos Fernandes. He is also expected to add a goalkeeping coach and sports scientist to United’s ranks.
“I came here as an assistant to help the club,” Van Nistelrooy said after the win over Leicester. “Now in this role, I’m helping as long as needed. In the future in any capacity, I’m here to help the club further to build towards the future – that’s what I’m here for.”
Sporting are expected to replace Amorim with B team head coach Joao Pereira.
