Ruben Amorim Already Has A Mystery Problem For Manchester ...

VIZELA, PORTUGAL - JANUARY 18: Ruben Amorim, Head Coach of Sporting CP looks on prior to the Liga ... [+] Portugal Betclic match between FC Vizela and Sporting CP at Estadio do FC Vizela on January 18, 2024 in Vizela, Portugal. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

The speed at which people were discussing Ruben Amorim after Erik Ten Hag's firing suggested that Manchester United's hierarchy had identified the Portuguese coach long before it decided to sack the coach.

Now that the Dutchman is gone, there is movement to the extent that Amorim's post-game press conference, after his Sporting CP team secured a 3-1 in the Portuguese League Cup quarter-final win against Nacional, generated a barrage of questions about being the Red Devils coach rather than the game.

The official line from Sporting CP is that Manchester United has "interest." They were directed to a $10 million contract release clause.

As is customary in these strange scenarios, Amorim was protesting that he remained focused on his current club and had nothing yet decided.

His sights were trained "on wanting Sporting to become double winners of the league and cup." Despite United's interest, he insisted "this doesn't change" and that he had "nothing new to say at this moment."

He added: "There was the club's statement and that's the only thing they have at the moment. There is interest from Manchester United, there is the payment of a clause and then, when I have something more concrete, I will tell you, because it is always my choice.

"When everything hasn't been decided, one way or the other, there's no point in talking much more, because otherwise we'll create noise.

"I'm not going to say anything properly because I don't have anything useful to say. Just saying that I will take on whatever I want to do, as I have always done throughout my time as a player and even as a coach. Regarding the game, it was a strange game, a strange environment."

Journalists, like the general public, aren't fans of this type of vagueness, so they tried to nail him down to a more substantive statement.

One asked, "Do you want to leave?" Amorim replied, "We haven't got to that part. The club talks to another club, is talking to another club, and then you take the next step with the coach."

That response allowed British journalist Gary Cotterill of Sky Sports to ask if the decision was his.

"Yes," he responded, "[it] is my decision. I will tell everything. We have to wait."

Quite what that "everything entails" is of great interest because, over the summer, there were two occasions when Amorim appeared to be bound for another English club.

And what deterred Liverpool and then West Ham United from appointing Amorim is the first issue everyone is wondering about before he even takes the Old Trafford hot seat.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Ruben Amorim, Manager of Sporting CP, reacts during the UEFA Europa ... [+] League round of 16 leg two match between Arsenal FC and Sporting CP at Emirates Stadium on March 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

There are well-founded reports suggesting that this summer Amorim was poised to become West Ham United boss.

The 39-year-old hired a private jet to travel to London for talks with the Hammers hierarchy. Broadcaster TalkSport has since claimed that the two sides agreed to personal terms, but chairman David Sullivan reportedly scuppered the move over reservations about the $10 million release clause.

As his move to Manchester United draws closer, another source at the club has told the Daily Mail, "They felt appointing Amorim would represent a gamble as he has only managed one top club in his own country" and that while "talks went well and Amorim made a positive impression, West Ham ultimately decided to pursue an alternative option."

Having to return to Portugal with his tail between his legs, Amorim spins the story that the whole escapade was one big lapse in judgment.

"Obviously my trip was a mistake, the timing was completely wrong, it didn't seem right at the time," Amorim told reporters afterward.

"It was wrong, especially when I'm so demanding with my players and always the first to say that each one's actions can overpower the team. I have already removed players from the squad for much less.

"It was my mistake; I have to accept it and live with it. It didn't seem so bad at the time, but thinking about it later, it's very clear. I gave explanations to the players and the staff. Now it's time to move on.

"Obviously, I also use the public part here to apologise to the Sporting fans, the staff and, mainly publicly to my players for the mistake I made."

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: Liverpool FC manager Arne Slot acknowledges the away fans after the ... [+] Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on October 27, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

After Xabi Alonso rejected a return to Anfield in the summer, there were consistent reports that Amorim was poised to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

Indeed, when Amorim flew to London, there was speculation that his ultimate destination would be Merseyside.

However, when the Reds appointed Arne Slot, Sky Sports journalist Melissa Reddy, known for her top-level contacts at Liverpool, claimed the Portuguese coach was never a good fit.

"Amorim was definitely on Liverpool's shortlist, but despite all the external noise, he was never a leading candidate or the preferred candidate," she said.

"The clubs made that pretty clear.

"Liverpool were saying 'very good, we like him', and he had ticked quite a few of the criteria to get onto the shortlist, but the biggest sticking point was the fact that his playing philosophy is so different.

"He likes to use three at the back – that doesn't really stack up with Liverpool's squad and their comfort in doing that.

Even more damningly, Reddy claimed Amorim's tactical inflexibility and inability to adhere to a broader vision were sticking points.

She added: "Also his long-term vision didn't align with the Liverpool way, and remember Liverpool play the same way all through the age groups up, so you don't want to disrupt that.

"I was also told that any suggestions that Amorim isn't Liverpool's pick because of financial reasons is just fiction, that's absolutely not the case.

"The final thing to mention is there's been a little bit of skepticism as to why it was so public that Amorim flew to have this talk with West Ham.

"One intermediary has suggested that it was possibly to put some pressure on Liverpool, but by that point Liverpool had already marked Slot as their leading candidate."

Of course, these are only the dispatches delivered to journalists. It's important to consider that with every word exchanged, there is an agenda at play.

There is likely far more beneath the surface we do not know about. It will be fascinating to see how Amorim deals with the links to and alleged rejection by these two clubs, especially when they face off against his Manchester United team.