Ruben Amorim has emerged as the most likely Erik ten Hag replacement (Image: Getty)
Manchester City have reportedly stepped aside to allow rivals Manchester United to appoint Ruben Amorim as Erik ten Hag’s replacement.
Ten Hag was let go from his role as United boss on Monday afternoon following a just over two-year stint in charge.
The Dutchman departed Old Trafford having won a trophy in each of his two full seasons while boasting a winning percentage of 54 per cent from his 128 games as manager.
But with United languishing down in the bottom half of the Premier League table and without a win in the Europa League this season, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS were left with little choice but to call it a day.
Former Red Devils star Ruud van Nistelrooy has been placed in interim charge, but he might not be in the dugout for long, given United are said to have reached an agreement in principle with Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorim.
His performances in Portugal, where he won two league titles with Sporting, had led to claims Premier League champions City were courting Amorim as a potential Pep Guardiola replacement, with the Catalan’s contract set to expire in the summer.
Links were intensified earlier this year when the Blues announced Hugo Viana, the current Sporting director of football and the brains behind the Amorim project, would take over from incumbent DoF Txiki Begiristain in the new year.
Yet, reports from ESPN suggest there’s no concern among the City hierarchy that Amorim is in talks with their Premier League rivals, clearing the way for the United to secure his signature.
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Ruben Amorim has won two league titles with Sporting (Image: Getty)
It’s suggested Amorim’s unwavering loyalty to a three-at-the-back system is something that has put City off, as they’re believed to favour a continuation of the Guardiola style following the ex-Barcelona chief’s departure.
The 39-year-old, who was on the shortlist to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool last season, has enjoyed an impressive spell with the Portuguese outfit, winning two league titles in three years.
However, Amorim’s potential appointment hasn’t got the backing of everyone, not least United legend Paul Scholes, who instead wants to see his former side appoint Zinedine Zidane.
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When asked about the now vacant manager’s role, he replied: “I think [the new manager] needs to have experience at an elite football club. This is one of the very biggest clubs in the world, so they should have the very best in class.
“Zidane is the one who has been at a major, major club and won major honours. But I am not sure how educated he is with the English language or whether he actually wants to come to England. You never get that feeling with him.”
United return to action on Wednesday night when they face Leicester City in the League Cup fourth round.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1968638/man-utd-manager-ruben-amorim-city