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Several members of the Sporting dressing room have been left “annoyed” by Ruben Amorim’s sudden decision to join Manchester United after the 39-year-old asked for “commitment and loyalty” from them during the summer transfer window.
The Telegraph reveals there is “unhappiness” in Portugal at the country’s leading manager deciding to swap Lisbon for Manchester in such a quick and emphatic fashion.
Sporting currently lead Liga Portugal with an impressive nine wins from their opening nine games, having won last season’s title in equally dominant fashion.
Since Amorim’s appointment at the José Alvalade Stadium, Leões have won five trophies in four years, including two domestic triumphs. Prior to his arrival, the club had not won Liga Portugal for twenty years.
Many of Sporting’s senior executives believe Amorim to be the “new Special one” – a reference to Jose Mourinho’s ascent into elite European football from Portugal two decades ago, which the 39-year-old will be hoping to emulate.
Sources at the club describe the atmosphere as “like a funeral” given the shockwaves the imminent loss of their talismanic manager, though there is acceptance amongst fans that the opportunity to manager a club like United is too much for Amorim to turn down.
And, The Telegraph, reveals these views are shared by the Sporting dressing room.
The report contends, “several Sporting players have been left annoyed because the 39-year-old had asked for commitment and loyalty from them during the last transfer window and is now leaving with his staff.” However, many within the dressing room “accept the United offer is too good to refuse.”
From an Old Trafford perspective, it is a positive sign, in a slightly perverse way, to see such widespread disappointment at Amorim’s departure; because what Sporting are losing, United are gaining.
Amorim is widely seen as one of the most exciting young managers in European football. He possesses a clearly articulated philosophy which taps into the domineering principles of pressing and counter-pressing, and is unflinching in his application of it.
The 39-year-old was hotly tipped as a potential replacement for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City should the Spaniard decide to depart the Etihad at the end of the season. The fact that United have stolen a march on their local rivals, who so often make wise decisions, is another positive sign.
The Red Devils will be hoping they have finally found their own ‘Special One’, even if his previous club are heartbroken to see him leave.
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