RUBEN AMORIM might be presented with an unlikely back-up plan if his situation at Manchester United continues to deteriorate.
The Portuguese manager is set to have crisis talks with his bosses following an embarrassing Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby on Wednesday.
But now a lifeline has appeared for the coach, in the form of one of his previous teams.
The Times report that Portuguese giants Benfica could end up offering him the head coach role at the club.
Joao Noronha Lopes, one of five candidates in the Benfica presidential race to replace Rui Costa, is believed to be keen to bring Amorim back to the Estadio de Luz.
When asked by Portuguese outlet Record, Lopes refused to articulate his position on bringing the 40-year-old back to Lisbon.
He said: “He’s an excellent coach, under contract with Manchester United.
“I won’t destabilise Benfica. They have a very important match ahead of them.”
Despite his refusal to commit to any strong stance, it is believed the 59-year-old could make the move to bring Amorim to the club.
That would be dependent on Lopes winning the presidential elections in October.
Benfica are currently managed by former Wolves boss Bruno Lage.
They have taken two victories from their opening two matches of the season and are looking to make up the two points by which they lost out on the title last season to Sporting.
Man Utd’s transfer deals
IN
- Bryan Mbeumo – from Brentford – £71m
- Matheus Cunha – from Wolves – £62.5m
- Diego Leon – from Cerro Porteno – £7m
- Benjamin Sesko – from RB Leipzig – £74m
TOTAL – £214.5m
OUT
- Victor Lindelof – released
- Christian Eriksen – released
TOTAL – £0m
Amorim is best known for his tenure managing Lisbon rivals Sporting CP, with whom he won Liga Portugal twice in his four years at the helm.
However, he was equally as successful in the league during his playing days, the bulk of which was spent with Benfica.
The midfielder made over 150 appearances for the giants, winning the league three times in his 9 years as a player there.
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