Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim is reportedly attracting attention from both Manchester United and Manchester City as they prepare for possible managerial changes in the coming months. There are doubts surrounding the futures of both Erik ten Hag at United and Pep Guardiola at City, sparking rumors of a potential battle for Amorim's signature.
Manchester rivals set to compete for Sporting boss Ruben Amorim
At Man Utd, Ten Hag’s position seems increasingly uncertain as the club struggles for consistent results. Despite a recent win over Brentford, the pressure remains, and United could be in search of a new manager sooner rather than later.
Meanwhile, Man City’s legendary manager Guardiola is nearing the end of his contract, and there’s speculation that he could be tempted to seek a fresh challenge after years of success at the Etihad. Though Guardiola remains a beloved figure at the club, the idea of a transition is not far-fetched.
According to Todo Fichajes, this sets the stage for both Manchester giants to fight over Amorim, who has earned a reputation as one of Europe’s brightest young tacticians. His achievements at Sporting Lisbon have made him a sought-after candidate for top managerial roles, and Manchester could be his next destination.
Sporting connection may give City the edge
There’s a potential advantage for Man City in this race, as Hugo Viana, currently at Sporting Lisbon, is set to join City as sporting director next season. Viana’s existing relationship with Amorim could give City an edge in convincing the Portuguese manager to move to the Etihad.
However, Man Utd might act faster given Ten Hag's uncertain future, potentially bringing Amorim to Old Trafford before City even make their move. Guardiola, despite the speculation, could also choose to extend his stay at City, which would complicate matters.
Where will Ruben Amorim land?
Amorim has been linked with major clubs before, including Liverpool, as noted by football insider Christian Falk. Now, with both Manchester clubs circling, it seems only a matter of time before Amorim makes his move to the Premier League.
For Man Utd, waiting too long could be costly, as they risk missing out on Amorim in the same way they did with Thomas Tuchel, who now leads the England national team. If United are serious about upgrading from Ten Hag, they’ll need to act swiftly to secure the promising Portuguese manager.
With both clubs eyeing the same target, the next few months will be crucial in determining who wins the battle for Ruben Amorim.