Pep Guardiola has chosen to refrain from offering any guidance to Ruben Amorim, the newly appointed manager of Manchester United, ahead of Manchester City‘s upcoming clash with Sporting Lisbon. City is set to face Sporting in the Champions League next Tuesday, a match that will serve as Amorim’s final game in charge of the Portuguese club before he transitions to Old Trafford on November 11.
With Amorim officially confirmed as United’s new manager, he will oversee three more fixtures, including the pivotal encounter against City. Guardiola, who has previously lauded Amorim’s capabilities, acknowledges the challenges ahead for his future rival as he aims to revive United’s fortunes.
Speaking on Friday, Guardiola welcomed Amorim to the Premier League, saying, “Welcome to United, to England. I congratulate him. I’m not the right person to give advice to colleagues. They have a lot of people at United who can give information about what is happening at United.”
Guardiola has been vocal about Amorim’s qualifications, particularly recalling their last meeting when City handed Sporting a 5-0 defeat in 2021. He mentioned, “The pressure was really, really good,” highlighting the tactical prowess Amorim displayed that day. His respect for Amorim is evident, as he stated, “If Man United are thinking about him, it’s because he’s a good manager. Man United don’t appoint managers who aren’t that level.”
As Amorim prepares to take the reins at United, he faces the daunting task of succeeding where five predecessors faltered under Guardiola’s reign. City will host United on December 15, marking one of Amorim’s first significant tests in charge.
Guardiola offered insight into the complexities of management, saying, “What happened here doesn’t mean it’s going to happen in another place. Everyone is everyone—the manager is the team, the club, the structures, the physios, the doctors, the players; it’s many things.”
As the football world watches closely, the stage is set for an intriguing battle between Guardiola’s City and the ambitious Amorim at United, making for a captivating chapter in Premier League history.
