It seems like Manchester City have already earmarked the manager to take over the reins at the club once Pep Guardiola bids farewell.
As Guardiola’s contract at Manchester City runs out in 2025 — if he does decide to leave the club at the end of the season, The Guardian has revealed that Ruben Amorim is being “strongly considered” as his replacement.
With City’s sporting director-to-be Hugo Viana having worked with Amorim at Sporting CP for a number of years now, the club’s interested in the 39-year-old is only natural.
The report claims that despite the links to Ruben Amorim, Manchester City’s priority remains to keep Pep Guardiola beyond 2025.
So much so that it was reported on Tuesday that Manchester City are open to giving Guardiola a rolling contract — where he can have the option of extending his deal year upon year as per his wishes.
Furthermore, it has also been speculated that Pep Guardiola could extend his contract at Manchester City until 2026.
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Pep Guardiola hailed potential Man City replacement Ruben Amorim as “one of the best”
Ruben Amorim’s contract at Sporting CP also expires in the same year.
Notably, the Portuguese tactician has led his side to winning two Primeira Liga titles — leading the club to their first one in 19 years in 2021 and repeating the feat last season.
Ahead of Manchester City’s 1-0 win against Everton in 2022 , Pep Guardiola had plenty of praise for Ruben Amorim after his side demolished Sporting CP 5-0 in the first leg of the Champions League last-16.
Guardiola said via BeanymanSports: “They won the Portuguese league! Their manager [Ruben Amorim] is one of the best at the moment. His team is really good. But…Sporting Lisboa. Do you know what happened there? Five shots on target, five chances, five goals. 100%. ‘How good is the manager?’
“This season, we had these chances… 1-1 in Leipzig, ‘How much of a disaster is Man City? Ah, Leipzig is bad. It’s not a good team’. How many top teams are out in the Champions League? Everyone has to understand that the opponents also play!”
In the second leg, the Portuguese giants managed to earn a 0-0 draw.
It seems clear that Guardiola holds Amorim in high regard.
Bruno Fernandes recently praised Ruben Amorim and claimed that he could succeed if he managed in the Premier League or in La Liga.
Why Liverpool decided not to appoint Amorim as Jurgen Klopp replacement
Only time will tell whether Amorim makes his way to the Etihad Stadium in the 2025/2026 season.
However, in the summer of 2024, ESPN journalist Mark Ogden revealed why Liverpool chose not to appoint one of the best young managers in the world to succeed Jurgen Klopp.
In his report, Ogden stated that one reason was Ruben Amorim’s insistence on playing his signature 3-4-3 formation.
Secondly, the former Braga boss had a €15 million (£12.5 million) release clause in his contract.
While the release clause was not considered as much of a red flag by Liverpool in comparison to Amorim’s unbridled loyalty towards his tactical blueprint, it certainly did play a part in their decision to ultimately appoint Arne Slot instead.
Ruben Amorim was also expected to demand an annual salary of €12 million (10 million) as well.
Whether such factors end up putting Manchester City off as well if they further explore the prospect of hiring Amorim will be interesting to see.
