Ruben Amorim says he never spoke to Manchester City about becoming Pep Guardiola's replacement as the Manchester United head coach prepares for his first derby in charge.
The 39-year-old established himself as one of Europe's finest up-and-coming coaches with his transformational work at Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon. United quickly moved to appoint Amorim after sacking Erik ten Hag in late October, when he had been linked to City amid uncertainty over Guardiola's future.
The fact Sporting director of football Hugo Viana is taking that role at the Etihad Stadium next summer added an extra dimension, but Amorim insists the Old Trafford post was his only ambition. Asked if he ever had a conversation about the prospect of joining City at any point, Amorim said: "Never. Never had and this was my only option."
"When Manchester United talked to me, I had no doubts because I had already something in my mind [that] it could be a possibility. With Manchester City or Hugo Viana? Nothing about that."
This story is from the December 14, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the December 14, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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