Jamie Carragher has provided insights into why Liverpool opted to appoint Arne Slot this summer instead of pursuing Ruben Amorim, who has been appointed as Manchester United’s head coach.
Amorim will move from Sporting Lisbon to Old Trafford on November 11 and has signed a contract that will run until June 2027.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former United striker, will continue in his role as interim manager for the club’s next three fixtures following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag on Monday.
Amorim becomes the sixth permanent manager appointed by Man United since the end of Sir Alex Ferguson’s 26-year tenure in 2013.
His primary challenge will be to turn around what has been a disappointing start to the season, with Man United currently sitting 14th in the Premier League and failing to secure a win in European competition for over a year.
Amorim’s first match in charge will be against newly promoted Ipswich Town on November 24, following the international break.
His home debut will take place on November 28 in the Europa League against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, followed by a Premier League clash against Everton the subsequent weekend.
Jamie Carragher argues that Amorim’s trajectory led him to the United dugout instead of Liverpool’s.
“Amorim is one of the current generations of coaches who play three centre halves,’ he wrote in his column for The Telegraph.
“Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso and Inter Milan’s Simone Inzaghi are the same.
“My suspicion is that one of the reasons Liverpool favoured Slot over Amorim last summer is because the Dutchman prefers the more traditional four at the back, so the transition was easier for the squad he inherited.
“Under Jurgen Klopp, the style of the first team was mirrored down to academy level to ensure those who made the step up were familiar with the playing patterns.”
Man United will announce the members of Amorim’s coaching staff at a later date.
Following a defeat to rivals Porto in the Portuguese Super Cup on August 3, Amorim has led Sporting through a remarkable 14-game unbeaten streak.
He is set to be in the dugout tonight as Sporting hosts Estrela in a league match.
Looking ahead, Sporting will face Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday, followed by a league match against Amorim’s former club, Braga, on November 10.
This will be before the European top-flight football takes a break for the Nations League games.
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