Manchester United's prospects of securing Rúben Amorim as their new manager have improved, with Sporting CP finalizing a deal for João Pereira to replace the 39-year-old.
The Premier League club initiated discussions with Amorim's representatives following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag on Monday. A three-year contract offer, reportedly worth around £6.5m per season, has been tabled. Amorim's release clause stands at £8.3m for a 'big club' and doubles for a smaller one.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, United is expected to send a three-person delegation to Lisbon on Tuesday evening for further negotiations. Sporting is prepared to part ways with Amorim, having retained him during the summer when Liverpool and West Ham were also seeking a manager. They believe Pereira is the ideal successor.
Pereira, a former right-back, had three stints as a player at Alvalade and won the league under Amorim in 2021. Currently the coach of Sporting's reserves, he was endorsed by Amorim in May. "João Pereira is making his mark [with the B team] and I think he is an excellent coach," Amorim said. "He has all the qualities to become the first team's coach here."
The 40-year-old Pereira, who earned 40 caps for Portugal between 2010 and 2014, was appointed assistant coach of the under-23s for the 2021-22 season before taking charge of the team the following season. He was promoted to the reserves at the start of this campaign, and they currently rank fifth in Liga 3 Serie B.
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