Manchester United is discussing hiring Ruben Amorim, the sporting manager, to replace Erik ten Hag.
The Dutch coach, Ten Hag, was dismissed on Monday because of the team’s lackluster start to the season.
Amorim, 39, is a well-respected coach who joined Sporting in 2020 and has since achieved two Portuguese league titles, including their first in 19 years.
It is still being determined how far the negotiations about Amorim have progressed.
The availability of other alternatives for the Old Trafford role is also still being determined.
Still, Amorim is now the frontrunner for the position.
Speaking at a news conference on Monday, Portuguese Amorim anticipated a question about the Manchester United job but was unwilling to discuss it.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ten Hag’s assistant, has been appointed United’s interim manager. The club still needs to clarify the length of his term or his involvement in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash with Leicester at Old Trafford.
The club has ruled out Van Nistelrooy conducting a pre-match media conference on Tuesday. Ten Hag talked about the EFL Cup game following Sunday’s loss to West Ham.
Manchester United’s silence on the talks with Amorim is significant in itself.
A significant compensation sum, estimated at about 10 million euros (£8.3 million), is involved, yet it is minimal considering United’s player expenditures during Ten Hag’s era.
The decision, whoever they select, will focus on Amorim’s inexperience beyond Portugal and his capability to manage the high stakes associated with stepping into the Old Trafford position.
Individuals who have talked to him about manager positions in the past were impressed and saw his exceptional qualities.
Manchester United’s key decision-makers hold that opinion as well.