The Sporting CP president addresses the departure of coach Rúben Amorim

Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas spoke at the Artur Agostinho Auditorium about the confirmed departure of coach Rúben Amorim, in a press conference after the game against Estrela da Amadora.

“I can confirm that at the end of last season Rúben Amorim considered that the end of this season was the ideal time to end his time here”, he stated, also admitting that Manchester United's proposal at this stage of the season forced a readjustment of the initial plan.

“The fans have the privilege of living in the present and we, as a structure, have to prepare for the future, which we were already doing. Obviously Manchester United coming in with an offer was not what we wanted and the coach felt it was time to go. We respected that and simply brought forward what we had prepared”.

“To his credit, our coach created a very strong relationship with the fans, and when there is passion there is irrationality -and with separation there is pain and disappointment. It's part of the game. We try to have the most rational view possible. When I look at Rúben Amorim I see the coach with the second most games in charge in the history of Sporting CP, a brilliant coach. Sporting CP are a big club and have noble values, and we will always treat well those who have done well for us”, he continued by saying.

Afterwards, Varandas praised the impact Amorim has had at the club, stating that “with all due respect to his playing career, I believe that decades from now Amorim will be remembered for his coaching”.

“It was Sporting CP who took a risk and invested in a young coach with just eight games' experience in Liga Portugal. Rúben Amorim will always have the mark left by Sporting CP in his life, and the history of the club will always also have the mark of Amorim. I wish him all the best from November 11th, despite the colour of the shirts Manchester United wear (the same red used by Sporting CP's rivals, Benfica). We are very, very, very grateful for everything he did to help rebuild this club”, he emphasised.

Asked about the option taken to keep Amorim on until the next international break, the president highlighted the professionalism of both parties.

“I've heard a lot of opinions, and I respect them all, but no one knows as well as I do how my coach knows his players. My role here is to do the best for Sporting CP and I know well the professionalism of the coach and players, who want to be two-time Champions”.

Regarding a successor, Varandas only assured that “it is exactly the same solution that was prepared for next summer, with the key piece for the project to move forward. The coach will always be the key part of the sporting project, that’s my idea. The future coach of Sporting CP will be announced on November 11th”.

Finally, asked about the amount spent by Manchester United to take Amorim from Sporting CP, Varandas detailed that “he was sold above the price of his release clause, and for the first time a Sporting CP coach has taken over one of the biggest European Giants”.

“Having to pay ten million euros to send a coach away would be expensive for Sporting CP. The clause, set at ten million was what was agreed”.

“Is that cheap or very expensive? He is a coach who gave us what he gave us, increased the squad value three or four times over and will be in the Top 5 of most expensive coaches in terms of transfers”, concluded the president.