One of the managers tipped to take over from Erik ten Hag at Manchester United already has an admirer at the Premier League giants in captain Bruno Fernandes.
Not that the Red Devilsskipper is talking up the prospect of Erik ten Hag losing his job to the 39-year-old tactician, of course.
In fact, Bruno Fernandes is urging a Manchester United-linked manager to stay put at a club who strengthened their grip at the top of the table with a thumping 6-1 win on Sunday.
But should Ruben Amorim guide Sporting Lisbon to a second Primeira Liga title in three years – having not won the competition at all in the 20 prior to his appointment – then the clamour for Portugal’s brightest tactical mind to inherit one of the biggest jobs in European football will only grow.
Fernandes, who joined Man United in a £47 million deal two months before Amorim took over at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, has no doubts about his compatriot’s ability to make a similarly transformative impact at a truly elite club.
Bruno Fernandes praises Ruben Amorim
“If he really takes the next step – I hope he stays at Sporting – but if he takes the next step, I think the qualities are all there to be able to succeed in English, French, or Spanish football,” Fernandes tells SportTV while also singing the praises of United’s midfield target Joao Neves.
“Obviously, we know that the Premier League is probably the most desired. The qualities (to succeed in England) are there. And he (Amorim) has everything to take the next step, in my opinion.
“But it will depend of the clubs, the directors, whether they want to pay the Sporting’s release clause or not. There are many components.
“But I think that the manager Ruben Amorim is prepared for the next leap.”
Ruben Amorim linked with Manchester United job
Amorim, per The Athletic’s David Ornstein, had a £17 million clause in his contract. That would have made him the third most expensive manager of all time, behind two other United-linked head coaches in Julian Nagelsmann and Graham Potter. That clause has since halved, however, to around £8.5 million.
The Times reported a few weeks ago that Amorim is an option under consideration at Old Trafford.
There remains a strong belief among large throngs of United supporters, however, that Erik ten Hag deserves the chance to show what he can do under a proper structure and with a fully fit squad at his disposal, especially with Sunday’s thrilling FA Cup victory over Liverpool – one of the highest highs in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era – still fresh in the memory.