The one thing that Sporting manager Ruben Amorim has already done that puts him ahead of ZInedine Zidane in the search for Manchester United’s new manager has been revealed.
An official statement released by United on Monday afternoon announced that former manager Erik Ten Hag had been dismissed after over two years in charge of the club.
Current Sporting CP manager Amorim is the clear favourite to succeed the Dutchman in the United dugout, with rumours suggesting that he will be appointed in the coming days.
And now, the one thing that puts the Portuguese manager ahead of other candidates like Real Madrid legend Zidane has been revealed.
According to Yahoo Sport, Amorim’s ability to speak English fluently was seen as a major bonus for United as it allows him to more easily communicate with players already at the club.
And while he is fluent in French, Italian, Spanish, Arabic and Berber, Zidane does not speak English, something which he has admitted would likely hinder his chances of managing a Premier League side.
Speaking to French outlet L’Equipe in 2022, the three-time Champions League winner said: “Never say never. Especially when you are a coach today. If I go back to a club, it is to win. I say this with all modesty.
“That’s why I can’t just go anywhere. For other reasons, too. Certain conditions make things more difficult. When someone says to me, ‘Do you want to go to Manchester [United]?’ I understand English but I don’t fully master it.
“I know there are coaches who go to clubs without speaking the language, but I work differently. To win, many elements come into play. It’s a global context. I know what I need to win.
“Of course, I might not always win, but I know that you need to have this, this and this. And I want to do everything on my side to optimise my chances of victory.”
Zinedine Zidane has been out of a job since leaving Real Madrid in 2021. (Image: Getty)
Amorim is therefore expected to be appointed in the, although he remained coy when asked about details of the move on Thursday.
“I know they [journalists] made a trip to come here to talk about this, and it’s natural, but we’ll leave that for the end of the game,” he said in a press conference.
“I promise I’ll talk at the end of the game and everything will be clearer. By talking now, it’s just another destabilisation for the squad. Now the focus is on the game.”