Ruben Amorim set for shock return to management as replacement for another ex-Man Utd boss

View 2 Images

Ruben Amorim is on the cusp of a return to management after being lined up to replace another former Manchester United manager in Jose Mourinho at Benfica .

Though he arrived in the Premier League with a burgeoning reputation, Amorim endured a turbulent tenure at Old Trafford and the 41-year-old was sacked by the club back in January . The Red Devils fortunes have improved significantly under Michael Carrick , who is poised to become head coach on a permanent basis after impressing in an interim capacity.

Amorim initially made his name as a coach in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon, where he won two Portuguese titles - and his return to management could come at one of their biggest rivals.

The Sun claim Benfica have set their sights on Amorim to succeed Mourinho, who is Real Madrid -bound after agreeing a return to the Spanish giants.

Though Amorim has strong links with Sporting Lisbon, he did represent Benfica in his playing days and even finished his career at the club before moving into coaching.

He is also 'close friends' with the Benfica president, Rui Costa, who was the club's sporting director during Amorim's playing spell. The Benfica chief is still an avid admirer of Amorim, who won just 25 of his 63 games at Manchester United.

Intriguingly, Amorim was previously touted as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola , who has decided to leave Manchester City at the end of the season after a trophy-laden decade at the helm.

View 2 Images

Hugo Viana, the sporting director Amorim worked closely with during his stint at Sporting Lisbon, took up a similar position at The Etihad last year and it was reported that City had identified Amorim as a candidate to replace Guardiola back in October 2024.

Other top clubs were also credited with an interest in Amorim during his time in Portugal including Liverpool .

However, it was Manchester United who moved for the Portuguese coach just weeks after City's interest had been reported after deciding to sack Erik ten Hag .