Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has spoken highly of Ruben Amorim, the current manager of Sporting CP, who is being widely tipped as a potential future manager of Manchester City. Fernandes, a former player for Sporting CP, has seen firsthand the transformation Amorim has brought to the Portuguese club and has praised his countryman for his impact and managerial skills.
Amorim, who took charge of Sporting CP in 2020, has been credited with revitalizing the club, leading them to consistent success in the Portuguese league after years of underachievement. His leadership has not only brought Sporting back to prominence but also caught the attention of top European clubs, with rumors circulating that he could be in line to succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City once the Spanish manager’s time at the club comes to an end.
Speaking to Tribal Football, Fernandes did not hold back in his admiration for Amorim, acknowledging the consistent success he has delivered to Sporting since his arrival. According to Fernandes, Amorim’s ability to assemble the right squad and implement a solid game plan has been key to Sporting’s resurgence as a dominant force in Portuguese football.
“Sporting is nothing new, since Amorim arrived it has been the best team with the best football, very consistent and with correct signings,” Fernandes stated.
This statement from Fernandes reflects the widespread recognition of Amorim’s impressive managerial acumen. Under Amorim’s guidance, Sporting CP ended a 19-year title drought by winning the Primeira Liga in 2021. The club has since maintained its competitive edge, consistently performing well both domestically and in European competitions. For Fernandes, the signings made during Amorim’s tenure have been crucial to this success, with the manager bringing in players who fit perfectly into his tactical system.
“They have just been champions and start this year already in front, they are very well prepared and about Amorim I have spoken many times,” Fernandes added.
Amorim’s ability to prepare his team not only for the long grind of a season but also for specific high-pressure situations has been a hallmark of his coaching style. Sporting CP has developed a reputation for playing some of the best football in Portugal, marked by tactical discipline, fluid attacking play, and solid defensive organization. Fernandes, who knows the pressure that comes with playing for one of Portugal’s top clubs, recognizes how difficult it is to maintain that level of success in a league as competitive as the Primeira Liga.
“He is a coach who shows that he is prepared, because winning championships at Sporting is not easy, for 20 years they had not won and they have already won two,” Fernandes noted.
Indeed, winning championships at Sporting has historically been a challenge. For two decades, the club struggled to break the dominance of FC Porto and SL Benfica, the traditional powerhouses of Portuguese football. However, under Amorim’s leadership, Sporting has broken that cycle, emerging as serious contenders for the league title every season.
Amorim’s success has not gone unnoticed outside of Portugal. His tactical prowess, man-management skills, and ability to develop young talent have made him a prime candidate for top managerial roles in Europe. With speculation mounting that he could be the successor to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, many football pundits and fans are eager to see how Amorim’s philosophy and approach would translate to the Premier League, one of the most competitive leagues in the world.
However, as Fernandes pointed out, the question of whether Amorim can replicate his success in England or at another top European club remains unanswered. The Premier League poses a different set of challenges compared to the Portuguese league, with its faster pace, greater physicality, and higher level of competition.
“Whether he can do the same in England or elsewhere will not be known until he gets there, but quality is in the eyes of everyone,” Fernandes said.
While it remains to be seen whether Amorim will indeed take over at Manchester City or another top club, there is no denying the quality and potential he has displayed at Sporting CP. For now, he continues to build on his impressive résumé, but should the opportunity arise, his next managerial role could see him tested at the highest level of European football.
As for Fernandes, his glowing endorsement of Amorim highlights the mutual respect and admiration that exists between the two Portuguese stars. Fernandes, now one of the key players for Manchester United, knows better than most what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of football, and his praise for Amorim suggests that the Sporting coach has what it takes to thrive in a larger role on the international stage.
For Manchester City, the possibility of securing a coach of Amorim’s caliber would be a significant coup, especially as the club looks toward the future beyond Guardiola’s reign. Whether or not Amorim makes the move to the Premier League remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: his reputation as one of the brightest young managers in Europe is well-deserved.
