New Manchester United manager decision delayed by release clause demands

Manchester United have finally pulled the trigger and fired Erik ten Hag. According to reports, the decision to sack the Dutchman was made weeks ago, which is why the club were able to identify ten Hag’s replacement so quickly.

The current Sporting Clube de Portugal manager was expected to take over at Old Trafford before the club’s Matchweek 10 fixture against Chelsea. However, Sporting are now asking for more compensation from Man Utd.

Sporting CP reveal Amorim interest

In the aftermath of Manchester United sacking Erik ten Hag, almost every media outlet in the world had different reports about who would be the next Manchester United manager.

Names like Graham Potter and Gareth Southgate were at the top of the soccer betting odds lists. Spanish newspapers suggested that former Real Madrid and Barcelona managers Zinedine Zidane and Xavi Hernández were in contention.

Amid all the speculation, Sporting CP released a bombshell statement on Tuesday, announcing that: “Manchester United FC expressed interest in hiring coach Ruben Amorim.”

Amorim’s name immediately shot up the next Man Utd manager sports betting odds list, with some reports claiming he could be announced as soon as this Thursday. However, that looks very unlikely now.

Release clause causing delay

In addition to revealing that Man Utd are interested in Ruben Amorim, Sporting CP also laid out the demands that the Red Devils will have to meet if they want to sign Amorim.

Sporting explained that: “the terms and conditions set out in the employment contract in force between the company and the coach (Amorim)” contain a “termination clause and for the amount of €10 million.”

Other sources also claim that Sporting are asking for additional compensation to buy out Amorim’s backroom staff. The total cost to get Amorim would be £12.4 million (A$24.4 million).

Early reports claimed Man Utd would have no problem paying that fee. Newer reports now say the Red Devils are set to negotiate with Sporting for a more reasonable fee.

Amorim confirms delay

Amorim was asked to clear up these conflicting reports after Sporting’s 3-1 win over Nacional in the Portuguese League Cup on Tuesday. He seemingly confirmed that there is a lot of work to be done before he can take over at Manchester United.

“We have to wait a little bit more,” he said, “ I will tell everything, so we have to wait. That’s it.”

When asked how long we will have to wait, Amorim responded bluntly “I don’t know.”

Conclusion

He then confirmed he will be in Portugal on Sunday and not at Old Trafford. He quickly backtracked though when a reporter asked if he 100% knew he would not be in Manchester.

“I don’t know,” Amorim said, laughing as he answered.