Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes believes that Ruben Amorim is well-equipped to succeed Pep Guardiola as the manager of bitter rivals Manchester City.
Amorim has built an impressive reputation in Portugal during his four-and-a-half years at the helm of Sporting Lisbon, where he won the league title in his first full season and again last season.
The 39-year-old was a leading candidate to take over from Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, but Arne Slot ultimately secured that position.
He was also in discussions with West Ham to replace David Moyes but chose to remain at Sporting, making him a prime target for City as they look to the future.
Guardiola’s contract with the four-time Premier League champions runs until June 2025, but speculation about his future is intensifying.
As Man City consider Sporting’s chief executive Hugo Viana to replace outgoing sporting director Txiki Begiristain, it has been suggested that Viana could bring Ruben Amorim with him to Manchester, signaling a significant change in leadership.
In light of these rumours, Fernandes, who left Sporting just two months before Amorim was appointed, was asked about the Portuguese manager’s credentials.
He offered a glowing endorsement of Amorim’s capabilities.
Speaking to CNN Portugal, Fernandes hailed: “Since Mr Amorim arrived at Sporting, it has been one of the teams to practise better football.
“They have been consistent, the signings have been right and they are in a very good moment.
“It’s a very well-prepared team.
“In relation to Amorim, it shows that at this moment he is prepared.
“Coaching Sporting and winning championships is not easy, Sporting went 20 years without winning championships and Amorim arrived and has already won two.
“This shows that the work has been done well If he could manage to do the same in England, Spain or anywhere else, you will never know until you get there, but I am sure his qualities are there for everyone to see.”
If Guardiola extends his contract, there won’t be a vacancy for Amorim to fill.
The Man City manager hasn’t ruled out the possibility of prolonging his stay, having taken charge in 2016.
“Nine years in the same club today is an eternity. So I want to be sure that it’s the right decision, not just for me but the club and the players – they run like they did for eight years,” Guardiola said in July.
“It doesn’t matter the competition, the tournament, this is what I have to see. I am sure eight more years I won’t stay!
“It’s good to refresh, for players and managers.
“At the same time we have had success and are still winning Premier Leagues, arriving in the last stages and we are playing competitions like the Champions League.
“This is my feeling right now.”
Read more: Bruno Fernandes opens up on Man United’s woes and reveals ‘concrete offers’ last summer
Marc Cucurella believes Chelsea teammate Cole Palmer has one problem he cannot fix
Conor Bradley set to make history for Northern Ireland against Belarus
