Amorim, 39, was officially announced as United’s new head coach on Friday, with his transfer from Sporting Lisbon set for 11 November.
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Speaking after Sporting’s 5-1 league win—which preserved their unbeaten streak through 10 games—Amorim shared that his main request following United’s approach was to complete the current season, a decision he had already conveyed to Sporting’s president.
However, the Portuguese manager was informed that United needed an immediate successor to Erik ten Hag, who was dismissed on Monday, and could not wait until summer.
“The season started, we started very well, and then Manchester United came, they pay above the compensation clause and the president defends the club’s interests,” Amorim explained.
“I never discussed anything with the president. For three days I said I wanted to stay until the end of the season, but then I was told it was not possible.
“It was now or never, or Manchester would go for another option. So, I had three days to make my mind up, to make a decision that changes radically my life.”
Amorim, now under contract with Manchester United until June 2027, becomes the sixth permanent manager appointed by the club since Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary 26-year tenure concluded with his 2013 retirement.
Renowned as one of Europe’s brightest managerial talents, Amorim led Sporting to two league titles, including their first in 19 years. He expressed that joining Manchester United was the only move he desired for the next phase of his career.
“I’ve had other opportunities – the president and [director of football] Hugo Viana can confirm this. It’s not the first or the second time that I have been requested by another team and I don’t want another team,” said Amorim.
“After Sporting I wanted that one, Manchester, and I want that context because that context allows me to do things my way and the club believes me that way.
“There’s a time when I have to take a step forward in my career. That’s what happened. It was harder for me than to any Sporting fan, believe me, but I had to do this.”
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He added: “Now I go home happier because I have explained. People say ‘it’s about the money’, but there was another team that wanted to hire me before and they paid three times more than Manchester.
“It was the best phase of my life. Everyone at Sporting knows. I understand the disappointment of the fans but today is not the farewell. We still have two important games against Manchester City [in the Champions League] and Braga [in the league] to maintain the lead.”
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