Ruben Amorim ‘will NOT be Man United manager until AFTER the next international break’, reports in Portugal claim, as Sporting Lisbon’s grinning president refuses to budge on notice period

Sporting Lisbon is determined not to let Ruben Amorim leave for Manchester United until after the international break, according to reports in Portuguese.

The manager has emerged as the frontrunner in the race to succeed Erik ten Hag in the Red Devils’ post after the Dutchman was finally sacked as boss on Monday following months of uncertainty.

On Tuesday, Sporting released a statement confirming United’s plan to pay the €10 million release clause to buy Amorim out of his contract.

However, a major sticking point that has emerged in the past 24 hours is when the Portuguese can make the move to the Premier League, with Mail Sport revealing he could be required to serve a lengthy notice period.

Portuguese reports add that the manager could be forced to stay for up to 30 days after his release clause is triggered and it appears the side will exercise this option.

This means the coach could still be in the dugout for his current team’s Champions League match against Manchester City on November 5.

The team are also looking to make it difficult for the Premier League giants to strip Sporting of their entire coaching staff, with officials demanding a further €5m for Amorim’s assistants to join him.

This comes after Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas gave a brief response to journalists as he broke cover during Manchester United’s pursuit of Ruben Amorim.

The club chairman was evasive as he entered the Sports Academy during a run on Wednesday.

When Varandas saw the group of messages gathered just outside the main compound, he greeted the group and simply said, “It’s a beautiful morning.”

Sporting announced on Tuesday that United intend to pay the €10 million release clause to buy Amorim out of his contract. Amorim refused to confirm whether he will be the next Red Devils boss during his press conference following his side’s 3-1 cup win over Nacional on Tuesday evening.

Amorim arrived at Sporting’s headquarters earlier to undergo training as negotiations between the two clubs over his notice period continue.

United are said to have sent three officials to Lisbon immediately after their cup victory to seal a deal for Amorim.

Ahead of the tie, Amorim was asked about links with United in the wake of Ten Hag’s sacking.

“I already expected this question and I am obviously not going to talk about the future, otherwise I would always have to comment,” he said on Monday. ‘I’m very proud to be a Sporting coach, that’s all.’

Several Sporting players have reportedly expressed their frustrations with Amorim as he prepares for the Portuguese champions’ departure just nine games into the new league season.

Portuguese newspaper Oh Jogo have reported that several Sporting players are angry about Amorim’s likely departure.

The outlet claims that sports stars Viktor Gyokeres and Morten Hjulmand are unhappy as the in-demand pair have been ‘tempted’ to stay at the club this summer with the aim of defending the Portuguese title with Amorim.

Amorim admitted that he had expressed Man United’s interest in the Sporting team during the preparations against Nacional.

“There was no mention of anything, it was right before the set pieces to get the elephant out of the room,” Amorim said. “Before the statement was released, I explained to the players everything that happened. There’s nothing more to say.

‘I don’t interfere in the players’ lives, but I am the coach. I spoke to the board to understand how the team should be managed.

‘My players will undoubtedly be disappointed if I leave, but that is part of life. That happened in Braga when I came. That kind of happened because they were disappointed.”

Amorim has already faced criticism from some fans and former club officials if he moves to Man United, amid claims he has ‘abandoned’ the club.

The 39-year-old has led Sporting to two national titles since taking charge in 2020.

Jaime Marta Soares, Sporting’s former chairman of the General Assembly, claimed that Amorim’s reputation at the club has been tarnished by his impending departure.

Soares claimed Amorim’s commitment to Sporting was exposed as a ‘fantasy’ and faced his departure during the season.

He also targeted Sporting president Varandas for failing to prevent Amorim’s departure, which he labeled a “real disaster”.

‘[Ruben Amorim’s] attitude and personality seemed like one thing, but that fell apart overnight,” Soares told Radio Renascenca. ‘His love, passion and dedication to Sporting were just fantasy situations.

‘He was the one who created an environment with an entire sports fanatic nation around him, who adored and respected him. He shouldn’t have spit into the plate he got his soup on.

‘I’m a fan of Ruben Amorim, but there are things that are not allowed. He made a name for himself at Sporting.

‘If he had not been carried away by the dream of making millions, and since he was adored by Sporting fans, he should have thought about leaving through the big door and not like this. Sports fans will certainly respond.”

Ten Hag made it three wins, two draws and four defeats in the top flight this season prior to his dismissal from United.

The results already leave Man United seven points behind the Premier League’s top four and six, Sunday’s visitors Chelsea.