Jose Mourinho Emerges Favourite to Replace Ruben Amorim at Manchester United
- Ruben Amorim has vowed to quit Manchester United if the situation doesn't improve anytime soon
- The embattled manager has won just six Premier League games since he was appointed in November
- A fresh list of the managers who could replace the former Sporting Lisbon man has now emerged
Jose Mourinho is now the leading favourite to replace Ruben Amorim as Manchester United boss after he threatened to quit.
Source: Getty Images
What did Ruben Amorim say about leaving Manchester United?
Manchester United have won just six of their 25 league matches, drawing six and losing 13 since Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag in November last year.
His latest defeat came at the hands of West Ham United on May 11, which left them languishing in 16th place. United are now headed for their worst campaign since the 1930/1931 season, when they were relegated.
Speaking after the defeat to West Ham, the former Sporting Lisbon manager admitted he was embarrassed and threatened to quit if things didn't change.
"It's a decisive moment in the history of the club. We need to be really strong in the summer and to be brave because we will not have a next season like this. If we start like this, if the feeling is still here, we should give space to different people," he said via the Premier League.
Favourites to replace Amorim at Manchester United
Bookmakers, via Metro UK, have now released the latest odds on who can replace Amorim at the Theatre of Dreams. Top of the list is Mourinho, who has already had a stint at United.
Currently at Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, Mourinho won the Europa League, Carabao Cup and Community Shield during his two-year stint at Manchester United. Mourinho is at 4-1 to succeed Amorim should the United hierarchy decide to go another way.
Second on the list is Kieran McKenna, who was a target of the big clubs last summer after he guided Ipswich Town to the top flight. With the Tractor Boys now back in the championship, McKenna might reevaluate his options.
Gareth Southgate is third on the list with the former England manager still jobless since leaving his role after last year's Euro 2024 championships. United's minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is believed to be fond of the two-time European finalist.
Source: Getty Images
Brentford's Thomas Frank has also been linked with the job after the spectacular work he has done at the Gtech stadium since he got them promoted in 2021. The Bees are in a strong position to qualify for Europe next season.
Former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez is also said to be angling for a return to management. Other names on the list but with difficult odds include Fulham's manager Marco Silva, Celtic's Brendan Rodgers, former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, Aston Villa's Unai Emery and Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti.
Ancelotti is leaving Real Madrid this summer but is expected to sign as the new Brazil manager ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Pochettino has long coveted the United job but is currently attached to the United States men's job.
What next for Ruben Amorim?
The 40-year-old will be hoping he will be backed in the transfer window to bring in players who perfectly suit his system. He has been adamant about playing his back-three system in the Premier League, but that is yet to bear fruit.
It could, however, result in something in the Europa League as they are in the final, where they will play Tottenham on May 21. Before that, they play Chelsea in the league at Stamford Bridge on Friday, May 16.
Why Man United could be banned from Champions League
In a separate report, Manchester United could be barred from the Champions League even if they beat Tottenham in the Europa League final.
The winner of the Europa League often gets a direct ticket to the Champions League, but for the Red Devils, it could get a little bit complicated for them.
The issue is related to UEFA's multiclub ownership rules, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe holds stakes in both Manchester United and French club OGC Nice.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
