Ruben Amorim had agreed personal terms to become West Ham United manager before the club opted to appoint Julen Lopetegui, according to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook.
Speaking on Tuesday (29 October), Crook revealed that the Sporting Lisbon boss was ready to join the Hammers, but the move fell through after West Ham owner David Sullivan hesitated over paying Amorim’s £8.3 million release clause.
With negotiations breaking down, Sullivan instead pursued a deal with Lopetegui. The Spanish manager has had a mixed start to his tenure in East London, leaving fans uncertain about what the future holds.
Amorim Linked to Manchester United After Ten Hag’s Departure
Florian Plettenberg has now reported (29 October) that Amorim is set to become the new Manchester United manager, following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal after the Red Devils’ 2-1 loss to West Ham at the London Stadium.
The timing of the news will frustrate some West Ham supporters, as Amorim was widely viewed as an ideal replacement for David Moyes.
The Portuguese coach’s attacking, high-energy style seemed to align perfectly with what Hammers fans have been calling for in recent seasons.
Was Amorim Worth the Investment?
Whether Sullivan was justified in baulking at the £8.3 million release fee is a topic for debate.
However, if Amorim thrives at Old Trafford, many West Ham fans will likely question why the club wasn’t willing to pay the price for his services, especially given Amorim’s apparent enthusiasm for the move to East London.
The pressure now rests on Lopetegui to win over the fanbase. Despite the recent win over Manchester United, some supporters are unconvinced, seeing him as little more than a “Spanish Moyes” – a manager too cautious for their liking.
Lopetegui’s best chance to change that perception is through consistent results. If he can string together victories and build momentum, the fans may come around. For now, however, he remains under scrutiny, and the decision not to land Amorim could haunt Sullivan if things don’t improve soon.