Jose Mourinho’s comments on Ruben Amorim with Man United in talks with Sporting Lisbon boss – as ex-Red Devils boss gives verdict on if he can cope with Premier League move
- Man United is in discussions about a takeover of Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim
- Mourinho gave his assessment of Amorim’s capabilities earlier this year
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Former Man United boss Jose Mourinho has detailed his assessment of whether Ruben Amorim would be prepared for the Premier League, as the Red Devils are in talks to appoint Sporting Lisbon’s head coach.
Man United are closing in on making the 39-year-old their next manager following the decision to sack Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag was fired on Monday morning because Man United was in fourteenth place in the Premier League, with the highly regarded Amorim as successor.
Amorim has attracted Premier League interest after being linked with Liverpool and West Ham this year.
The 39-year-old had flown to London for talks with West Ham earlier this year before apologizing and staying on as Sporting boss.
Jose Mourinho gave his verdict on Man United goalkeeper Ruben Amorim, left, earlier this year
Man United are in talks to appoint Sporting Lisbon’s head coach as their new manager
Mourinho, who managed Man United between 2016 and 2018, had praised Amorim in May.
He insisted the Sporting boss could handle a move to the Premier League, stating he was capable of leading ‘in any club’.
‘It’s also a question I shouldn’t answer, but what can I tell you? I like him [Amorim] As a person I like him as a coach,” Mourinho told Mais Futebol.
‘I think he has the conditions to coach in any competition, and he has the conditions to coach in any club.
‘But he is in a good league and at a big 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.’
Amorim previously interned under Mourinho at Man United in 2018.
The internship came early in his coaching career, with Amorim taking charge of lower Lisbon club Casa Pia that same year.
Amorim completed a coaching internship under Mourinho at Man United in 2018
Sporting’s head coach has been compared to Mourinho for his communication style
Amorim has previously stated that his reference has ‘always been Mourinho’, who he has labeled a ‘unique’ coach.
Mail Sport revealed last week that Amorim was one of four targets if Ten Hag was dropped.
Man United announced on Monday morning that the Dutchman’s two-and-a-half-year reign at Old Trafford was over.
His assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy has been given temporary charge but United quickly opened talks with Amorim and Sporting about activating the £8.5m release clause in his contract in Portugal.
It is understood Amorim was planning to leave Sporting at the end of the season but was informed of United’s interest earlier this month and has had two rounds of talks.
Amorim has also been linked with Manchester City if Pep Guardiola leaves next summer after it was confirmed that Hugo Viana, his director of football at Sporting, will replace Txiki Begiristain in the same role at the Etihad last season.