Jose Mourinho’s private 15-word text message to Ruben Amorim speaks volumes

Ruben Amorim has agreed a deal to become Manchester United's new manager after Jose Mourinho gave him a ringing endorsement.

The Reds are preparing to unveil Amorim as Erik ten Hag's replacement after agreeing to pay the £8.3million release clause in his Sporting contract, and it's possible he could be in the dugout for Sunday's game against Chelsea at Old Trafford. He's considered one of Europe's brightest coaching talents and has enjoyed fantastic success since joining Sporting in 2020, including winning two of the club's four Primeira Liga titles since 1982.

Amorim grabbed attention on British shores after his team eliminated Arsenal from the Europa League in March 2023, sparking chatter about him being the next Mourinho, who famously knocked United out of the Champions League during his breakout season with Porto back in 2004.

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However, Amorim downplayed such comparisons when he spoke to the media following the match. That said, he revealed that he'd received a congratulatory text from the Special One. "Mourinho is one of a kind," he told reporters.

"He's already texted me, [saying]: 'The old and the new [Mourinho] are still in, I'll see you in the next stage! '... [Am I] the new Mourinho? There will never be a new Mourinho."

Mourinho's glowing endorsement will be music to the ears of the United fanbase, who are eagerly awaiting confirmation of Amorim's appointment. Jose's Roma progressed to the final of the Europa League that season, only to lose in a penalty shootout against Sevilla.

Amorim's Sporting side, meanwhile, were unable to build on their thrilling victory over Arsenal and were dumped out by Juventus in the quarter-finals. The club were facing domestic struggles at the time, and there was even talk of Amorim getting the sack at one point.

However, they turned things around dramatically in the following campaign, easily clinching the Primeira Liga title and amassing 90 points, just shy of Porto's record-breaking 91 points.

They've been similarly impressive this season with nine wins in nine league games so far. They've also conceded just two league goals and are scoring, on average, 3.33 goals per match. In stark contrast, United are averaging markedly fewer goals at 0.89 per league match this season and have conceded 11 times.

On Tuesday, Sporting all but confirmed Amorim's departure after revealing United's intent to meet the manager's release clause. Speaking on the heels of his side's 3-1 victory over Nacional, Amorim said: "Manchester United is interested, but it's my choice.

"Until everything is decided, we won't be making any noise. I have nothing useful to say. I will take on whatever I want to do, as I have always done. I have always taken responsibility for my decisions and I will be here to do so, but when I am sure of things it will be easier."

Whether Amorim has what it takes to step into Mourinho's enormous shoes is up for debate. However, judging by his track record in Portugal, he may well stand a strong chance.

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