Ruben Amorim has not held talks with Benfica and has no desire to return to management in Portugal, his representatives have confirmed. The 41-year-old has been biding his time for a potential opening in one of Europe’s top five leagues since being dismissed by Manchester United in early January.
Amorim’s Stance on Benfica Links
Despite mounting speculation in Portugal that Amorim could replace Jose Mourinho at Benfica, his agency AS1 issued a firm denial. Mourinho is reportedly set to return to Real Madrid on a two-year contract, leaving a vacancy in Lisbon. However, Amorim’s representatives stated: “Ruben Amorim made the decision a long time ago to pursue his career abroad. Therefore, he has not met with any Portuguese clubs to discuss working conditions, structure, the squad, salary, or anything else. Anything said beyond this is mere speculation and does not correspond to reality.”
Amorim’s Manchester United Exit
Amorim’s 14-month tenure at Old Trafford ended miserably, with a run of just one victory in eight games proving the final straw. His refusal to deviate from his preferred 3-4-3 formation became a major bone of contention among fans and key decision-makers. Since his departure, United have won 11 of their last 16 matches under interim boss Michael Carrick, intensifying questions about Amorim’s elite-level credentials. Amorim reportedly received a £12 million payout after his sacking.
Benfica’s Succession Plans
With Mourinho’s exit looming, Fulham head coach Marco Silva has emerged as the clear frontrunner to take over at Benfica, even striking an agreement in principle. Silva, like Amorim, previously managed Sporting before moving to English football in 2017. He has guided Fulham back to the Premier League and maintained their top-flight status since 2021.
Benfica president Rui Costa addressed Mourinho’s future earlier this week, saying: “Jose Mourinho is Benfica’s coach until proven otherwise. It’s up to Mourinho to decide. As for everything else, I’ll speak with the Benfica fans this week to take stock of the season.”
