Sporting CP President Embraces Interest in Coach Ruben Amorim Amid City and United Speculation
Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas is embracing the growing buzz surrounding the club’s highly regarded manager, Ruben Amorim, viewing it as a testament to Amorim’s success and reputation. Both Manchester City and Manchester United have reportedly shown interest in Amorim, with City eyeing him as a possible replacement if Pep Guardiola’s contract isn’t extended past this season, while United is said to be considering him as a potential alternative to Erik ten Hag.
Rather than feeling threatened by the interest, Varandas sees the attention as a compliment to Sporting. Reflecting on Amorim’s success, Varandas mused, “When am I going to lose Ruben Amorim? I’ve been hearing this question for over four years. For me, and hopefully for all Sporting fans and the media, it’s something to be proud of. It’s a testament to how one of the best coaches in the world has stayed with Sporting for five years—that’s incredible.”
While Amorim’s future remains uncertain, Sporting has already experienced one major shift with transfer specialist Hugo Viana set to join Manchester City as director of football, replacing Txiki Begiristain next season. This move raises further questions about Guardiola’s future at City, given his close working relationship with Begiristain dating back to their Barcelona days.
Varandas emphasized the importance of forward planning at Sporting, stating, “Our role as administrators is to always think ahead, and I’ve been preparing for several years to ensure that if one key person leaves, we’re ready with the right replacement. Today, the three of us—Varandas, Viana, and Amorim—share a close, friendly relationship. But the facts are that Ruben Amorim has a contract with Sporting until 2026, and Hugo Viana will be City’s sporting director next year.”
Sporting invested heavily in Amorim back in 2020, triggering his €20m (£16.7m) release clause from Braga. The gamble paid off almost immediately, as Amorim led Sporting to their first league title since 2002, when a young Cristiano Ronaldo was on the verge of stardom. Amorim added another league title last season, all while navigating the challenges of selling key players, including captain Bruno Fernandes, to Manchester United. Earlier this month, Fernandes spoke glowingly of Amorim and backed him to thrive if he eventually takes a role in England.
