Ex-Man United boss Ruben Amorim releases statement amid Premier League manager 'agreement'

The former Manchester United manager has been linked with a return to Portuguese football having been out of work since leaving Old Trafford in January

Representatives of Ruben Amorim have released a statement confirming the Portuguese manager will not return to work in Portugal, emphasising his desire to pursue his career overseas. The former Manchester United boss had been touted as a potential successor to Jose Mourinho at Benfica, with ex-United chief Mourinho poised to take over at Real Madrid after agreeing to rejoin the Santiago Bernabeu.

Amorim, who established his managerial reputation with Sporting Clube de Portugal, joined Old Trafford with considerable acclaim. But he experienced a difficult 14-month tenure in charge before being dismissed by the club in January.

United's form has subsequently improved significantly under Michael Carrick, who is now widely anticipated to be given the head coach role permanently. Amorim, on the other hand, maintains strong connections to both Sporting and Benfica and shares a close friendship with Benfica president Rui Costa, who worked as the club's sporting director during Amorim's playing spell at the Estadio da Luz.

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Their relationship had generated speculation about a potential homecoming to Benfica as manager. Nevertheless, AS1 Sports, the agency acting for Amorim, has stated that he will not assume control of any Portuguese club.

The 41-year-old has previously managed SC Braga, Sporting and Casa Pia during his spell in his homeland.

The statement read: "In light of the latest news regarding Ruben Amorim's future, particularly by SIC's 'Jornal da Noite' - it is important to clarify the following: Ruben Amorim made the decision a long time ago to pursue his career abroad.

"Therefore, he has not had any meetings with Portuguese clubs to discuss working conditions, structure, squad, salaries, or any other matters; anything said beyond this is mere speculation and has no basis with reality."

With Amorim having taken himself out of contention, reports now suggest Fulham manager Marco Silva is poised to assume the role at Benfica, with an 'agreement in principle' already said to be in place.

Silva, who has been at Craven Cottage since 2021, is understood to have favoured a homecoming over prolonging his tenure with the west London club. When quizzed about his prospects, Silva acknowledged he has never ruled out embracing a fresh challenge.

"[The Premier League] is a league that, I won't hide, fulfils me – It's a league where I believe all coaches have that goal and that little bug of wanting to try it one day," he said in an interview with DAZN Portugal last week.

"It's a league where I want to see my team fighting for other things, I want to see my team able to fight for something more, and that has always been the goal.

"But I've also never closed any doors to anything, I've never said that I wouldn't be in league A, B, C or D in the future. Regardless of controlling all the decisions I might make regarding it, the future is open."

Born in Lisbon, the manager had brief spells in charge of Sporting and Estoril before taking the reins at Olympiacos, subsequently going on to manage four English clubs - Hull City, Watford, Everton and Fulham.

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