Manchester United is one of the most historically significant professional football clubs in the world. Based out of Old Trafford in Manchester, England, the club has a storied history of success with 20 titles in the Premier League, 12 FA Cups, six League Cups and a record 21 FA Community Shields. Additionally, they have three European Cup titles, proving their standing amongst the greatest international talent. In addition to their accomplishments, they are also one of the most widely supported football clubs in the world with an estimated hundreds of millions of fans worldwide. This fan base is what fuels some of the greatest rivalries in professional football with Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Leeds United.
With such high expectations for success by fans and the organization itself, decisions regarding players and coaches are integral to maintaining the integrity of such a competitive club. This is why the firing of their manager during the competitive season has made headlines worldwide. Erik ten Hag, a Dutch football manager, was at the helm of Manchester United for two and a half years. Ten Hag was characterized by his desire for power and control over even the most minute details of the team’s regiments.
While his focus on setting high standards could explain why he was brought onto the staff, it ultimately is what led to his downfall as the team began to struggle. The team failed to qualify for this season’s Champions League, Europe’s premier competition, and is ranked 13th in the Premier League table as of Nov. 5 after its worst start to a season in 35 years. The club reportedly notified ten Hag of his termination within 24 hours of the team’s loss to West Ham 2-1 and publicly made the announcement shortly after.
Manchester United has wasted no time in closing a deal to bring on a new manager, Rúben Amorim, the current manager of Sporting CP, a professional football club in Portugal. The club has reportedly agreed to pay his release clause from Sporting CP, which is worth around 10.8 million euros due to his current contract extending until 2026. Amorim became the club’s top choice due to his successful career with Sporting CP, leading the team to two Portuguese titles in the last three years after a 19-year title drought. He has also led them to their current position at the top of the Primeira Liga after having won nine straight games, scoring 30 goals and only conceding two.
Amorim’s quick rise to his first head coaching job at Braga only seven years ago is what has established his reputation as a prodigal type in the professional football world. Manchester United will hopefully get what they have paid for when Amorim begins his time in Old Trafford after the November international break.
It has been very difficult for managers to maintain hold of the Manchester United job for longer than a couple of seasons. Since Sir Alex Fergeson’s retirement in 2013, Amorim will be the sixth manager to take the reins of the Red Devils. Turning the team around will no doubt be a difficult task, as many have tried before him. Still, Amorim has had success in his young career, but this will undoubtedly be his toughest challenge yet.
