Ruben Amorim has broken cover for the first time in over six weeks following his dismissal from Manchester United, with the Portuguese manager spotted at the Qatar Open tennis tournament. Amorim, who was sacked by United on January 5, was seen in the stands watching Carlos Alcaraz defeat Karen Khachanov in the quarter-finals on Thursday night.
Low Profile Since Sacking
The 41-year-old has maintained a notably low profile since his departure from Old Trafford, with this public appearance marking his first sighting since he was photographed taking a walk with his wife in Cheshire shortly after his dismissal. Amorim's tenure at United lasted just 14 months, during which he won 24 of his 63 matches in charge after arriving from Sporting Lisbon in November 2024.
Substantial Pay-Off and Future Plans
Amorim reportedly received a substantial £10 million pay-out following his sacking, having been on a £6.5 million annual contract that was set to run until June 2027. Sources indicate that given this significant financial settlement and his known preference for taking on new roles during the off-season, Amorim is unlikely to rush back into management immediately.
It is understood that the former manager has deliberately avoided speaking publicly since his departure, reportedly waiting until the end of the current season to avoid undermining the efforts of interim manager Michael Carrick. Carrick has overseen a dramatic improvement in United's form, winning four and drawing one of his five matches in charge, moving the team from sixth to fourth in the Premier League table.
Connection to Tennis Unclear
Sky Sports cameras captured Amorim during the third set of Alcaraz's 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Khachanov at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha. The commentator noted that Amorim "has got a bit of time on his hands" following his dismissal from United. There is no clear indication of whether Amorim has any personal connection to either Alcaraz or Khachanov, or what specifically brought him to Qatar for the tournament.
Potential Return to Portugal
Despite his current break from management, Amorim has been linked with a potential return to Portuguese football, with reports suggesting Benfica are keen to hire him if Jose Mourinho departs in the summer. This would mark a return to his home country where he previously managed Sporting Lisbon before his move to Manchester United.
Mixed Legacy at Old Trafford
United's official statement regarding Amorim's dismissal stated that "the club's leadership has reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change." The team's improved performance under Carrick has seen them positioned to potentially return to the Champions League next season - a qualification that eluded Amorim after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham in May.
However, not all at United have dismissed Amorim's contributions. Striker Matheus Cunha offered a more nuanced perspective, telling DAZN: "I've always been very grateful for everything Ruben did. I think it's very easy, when things change, to see the past as only problems, but it's quite the opposite; he was an incredible person. Many new players came because of him, so I think he also plays a big part in the success we are having now."
Tactical Legacy Debated
Cunha further addressed the tactical approach under Amorim, suggesting that the focus on specific formations may have been misleading: "The pressure for that tactic to work was so great that we forgot how simple the overall context was and focused too much on the negative. But, to be very honest, I think the numbers of football is very misleading. We attack in various ways and end up defending with the formation that everyone says is Ruben's."
As Amorim enjoys his time away from the pressures of football management, watching tennis in Qatar with a substantial financial cushion from his United departure, the football world watches to see when and where the Portuguese manager will make his next move in the sport.
