Barcelona sporting director Deco claimed Ruben Amorim did not have the required experience to lead a big club when he turned away from the soon-to-be Manchester United manager earlier this year.
United have reached a full agreement to hire Amorim, who has long been linked with a move to the Premier League. Indeed, Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham United have all discussed hiring Amorim recently, only to pursue other targets instead.
It is not only in England that Amorim has been considered. In February, Amorim was touted as a possible candidate for Barcelona after Xavi’s revelation that he would depart in the summer.
Barcelona ultimately declined to pursue Amorim and sporting director Deco admitted he did not believe the Sporting boss was ready for such a big step.
“How many Portuguese coaches are prepared for the weight and responsibility of taking charge of Barcelona, especially Barcelona with all the difficulties it faces?” he told Nascer do Sol back in February. “Tell me.
“I know that Ruben Amorim is doing a good job at Sporting and that, on top of that, he plays with a style similar to ours. But he also has very little experience.”
Deco’s comments caused real fury in Portugal, but Amorim did not shy away from his inexperience when asked for a response.
“It’s a fact, and I just want to have experience to be Sporting’s coach,” he said. “As long as my people don’t remind me that I’m inexperienced and I’ve only been a coach for four years.”
Amorim will remain in charge with Sporting until the November international break, at which point he will head to Old Trafford. United fans are still waiting for formal confirmation of the move, which Amorim suggested will arrive after Sporting’s meeting with Estrela on Friday.
