A week in April that started with Ruben Amorim as the front-runner to succeed Jurgen Klopp as manager of Liverpool ended with him expressing regret to Sporting Lisbon and their supporters for traveling to London to meet with West Ham before they lost to Porto by two points in the race for the Portuguese championship.
But it’s all good when it ends well. West Ham’s Amorim substitute Julen Lopetegui orchestrated the victory (aided by VAR) over Manchester United that was the final nail in Erik ten Hag’s coffin and put Amorim on the verge of realizing his Premier League destiny at Old Trafford. Sporting won Liga Portugal by ten points, and Liverpool are now contenders for the title after choosing Arne Slot.
After the INEOS chiefs tried to persuade Amorim that Manchester City is a “fading force,” he reportedly “agreed a deal” in principle to take permanent charge of United. This was an odd ploy because the main argument they made for their rivals’ inevitable decline was that whoever was chosen to take on the poisoned Etihad chalice—in this case, Amorim—could never hope to be as good as Guardiola.
But it appears to have been successful. Amorim is “convinced,” maybe because, despite Ten Hag’s portrayal of it as The Impossible Job, becoming the head coach of Manchester United is actually a very alluring position, especially for someone with Amorim’s rising reputation in international football.
Amorim is a thrilling addition with two league titles, three cups, and a track record of believing in and nurturing youthful talent. If Gareth Southgate, Eddie Howe, Thomas Frank, or Graham Potter had been selected to replace Ten Hag, there would have been a lot of skepticism because they are more well-known to the public, which would have worked against them in the Give Him Time contest.
They aren’t winners, but Amorim is, albeit in a league that is regarded as being at least one level below the best in the world. He brings with him an aura that comes from his success as well as interest in his services from other elite clubs like Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool that wasn’t present in the alternatives. He also has the reputation of being able to manage top players, some of whom may follow him from Sporting to United.
Amorim’s tactical thinking, particularly his devotion to a 3-4-3 structure, was crucial in snubbing Liverpool’s interest in him. Gary Neville, who has come to believe that a switch to three at the back is the best course of action for United, will be pleased.
Others, including United, seem to view what Liverpool perceived as a lack of adaptability as a show of strength and confidence in a footballing approach that has paid off, first at Braga and later at Sporting. He has never faltered, and if United supporters have had to put up with a spell of play without a distinct style under Ten Hag, that at least appears to be about to change.
Behind a front three are two wing-backs, three center-backs, and two spirited midfielders. If Liverpool’s rejection is any indication, that is how things have been and appear to be going forward.
Where Bruno Fernandes fits into that lineup is the obvious question. The best bet is on the left of the front three. Pedro Goncalves, who has been characterized as “Bruno Fernandes, with a goal threat,” has flourished in that capacity for Sporting. Even if Bruno hasn’t been at his best this season, the United captain is still the team’s creative center and must play.
Then what about Alejandro Garnacho or Marcus Rashford? Amorim will have an early chance to demonstrate the strength Ten Hag first demonstrated by dismissing Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho, as at least one of the so-called stars is destined to lose their spot.
Despite Ten Hag’s subsequent decline into tactical incompetence and poor squad management, which most would argue is considerably superior to the performances and outcomes of the previous 18 months, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
