Incoming Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim: “I had three days to make the decision… if I rejected it now, in six months I would not have got it”; Amorim will replace Erik ten Hag; watch Amorim’s first game in charge at Ipswich on November 24, live on Sky Sports
Ruben Amorim revealed he asked to delay his Manchester United start time until the end of the season but was told it was “now or never” – as he passionately defended his exit to Sporting fans.
Amorim was confirmed as United boss on Friday and will take Sporting’s games against Manchester City and Braga next week before taking over at Old Trafford on November 11.
The 39-year-old revealed he spent three days deciding his options – and changed his mind several times in the process – before eventually agreeing to move to Man Utd mid-season.
Speaking after Sporting’s win over Estrela, Amorim said: “At the beginning of the season, I had a talk with [President Frederico Varandas] and Hugo Viana [then-sporting director] and I said that whatever happened, this would be my last season with Sporting. The president is here, he can confirm that.
“The season started, we know that we started very well. Then the Manchester United situation came and they appeared. They paid above the release clause. I never discussed anything with the president about this bargaining. The only question I made was only to go at the end of the season.
“For three days, I said I wanted to stay until the end of the season. But I was told it was not possible, I was told it was now or never, or Manchester United would go for another option.
“I had three days to make my decision. The change is radical in my life but I had three days to make this decision. That’s what I did.