Ruben Amorim reveals when Man Utd 'soap opera' will end ahead of Sporting farewell
Ruben Amorim is set to confirm he will replace Erik ten Hag as Manchester United's new manager after his Sporting Lisbon side face Estrela Amadora tomorrow night
by David McDonnell · The MirrorRuben Amorim has promised the “soap opera” over his future will end tomorrow night with the Sporting Lisbon coach confirmed as Manchester United's new boss.
Amorim will take charge of Sporting's league match against Estrela Amadora, after which he is set to announce he has agreed to succeed Erik ten Hag as United boss.
Ruud van Nistelrooy is ready to continue as interim United boss for their next three games, starting with Sunday's visit of Chelsea to Old Trafford in the Premier League.
Amorim, who will earn £6million-a-year at United on a two-and-a-half year deal, will start work during the international break, with his first game set to be away at Ipswich on November 24.
Opening up on the protracted nature of his move to United, Amorim said: “It’s a negotiation between two clubs, which isn’t easy. After the game on Friday, we will have all these clarifications. Then the decision will be known.
“Soon the soap opera will end. I think that in everyone’s life there are times when we’re doing really well, but then we want something more, maybe to prove something more.” Another reason for the hold-up with Amorim's switch to United, is the issue of compensation for the three members of his coaching staff he wants to bring with him from Lisbon to Manchester.
“I think all coaches need a good backroom staff,” said Amorim. “I don’t want to go into too much detail. That was one of the reasons I always wanted to stay here, it was the people I work with.”
Although United have agreed to pay Amorim's £8.3m release clause, Sporting have been holding out for another £4.1m in compensation for his backroom staff. That led to suggestions of a rift with Sporting president Frederico Varandas, but Amorim dismissed the notion and said of their relationship: “It's very good.
“There is no war, tomorrow it will be cleared up. I know that the players feel anxious, but there was no revolt at all. There were revolts when I arrived here. I know my players and I'm honest with you when I say that they were not normal.
“We prepared tactically, physically, we divided the group to be specific in this recovery and we watched the videos. We are ready to win. There are things that we cannot control, the clubs are negotiating. The coach’s decision does not matter.”
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