Revealed: The ‘three managers Man United considered alongside Ruben Amorim’ to replace Erik ten Hag – with Thomas Tuchel ‘not looked at’ before his England appointment

Ruben Amorim was reportedly one of three managers Manchester United considered to replace Erik ten Hag. 

The Dutchman was sacked as Red Devils’ boss on Monday morning after two-and-a-half years at the helm, though speculation has been rife for months over his future at the club. 

A number of candidates for the United hotseat have been touted in recent weeks as the club’s inadequate form continued, with even ex-England manager Gareth Southgate rumoured. 

But according to The Athletic, there were three other candidates – in addition to Amorim – more seriously considered for the role. They claim that former Juventus manager Max Allegri, ex-Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic and Barcelona legend Xavi came up in talks between the club’s leadership team. 

Furthermore, Thomas Tuchel, who held talks with Ineos boss and United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the summer, was not considered, prompting him to accept the job as England manager this month. 

Former Juventus manager Max Allegri was reportedly one of the managers considered to replace Erik ten Hag

Edin Terzic, who led Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final last season, was another boss who came up in talks

The club’s new leadership team discussed a number of candidates when the decision was taken to explore the option of replacing Ten Hag

The trio of managers occupy fairly different positions in the elite European coaching landscape. Allegri is undoubtedly the most accomplished, winning six Serie A titles and reaching two Champions League finals but the 57-year-old Italian has only managed Juventus, across two spells, in the last decade. 

And the second stint, which lasted for just three seasons and ended in the summer, yielded just one Italian Cup during a tumultuous time in Turin. 

He was reportedly viewed as someone less likely to build a long term project. 

Terzic, meanwhile, has only been a head coach for four years after taking the Borussia Dortmund job, initially on an interim basis, and winning the German Cup in his first season. 

The 41-year-old led Dortmund to their first European Cup final in more than a decade in June, where they were beaten by Spanish giants Real Madrid. In addition to losing to the 15-time winners in a Champions League final, both Allegri and Terzic are currently without a club. 

So too is ex-Barcelona manager Xavi, who led his former club to the LaLiga title in 2022, though he was reportedly not a serious consideration for the club. 

United’s refusal to restart talks with Tuchel, which had broken down in the summer, was England’s gain as the FA agreed a deal with the German to become boss on an 18-month contract. 

Instead they moved quickly to secure the services of Amorim, who has led Sporting CP to four cups and two league titles in four seasons at the club. 

Thomas Tuchel was not considered on this occasion, prompting him to accept the England job

The Red Devils are closing in on the appointment of Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim

The Portuguese club confirmed in a statement to the market on Tuesday afternoon that they had been approached by the Premier League giants. The note added that that United had ‘expressed an interest’ in paying the 39-year-old’s release clause.

However, while United are happy to meet that clause, they are currently negotiating when Amorim can start what will be a huge job at Old Trafford.

Amorim has a notice period of ‘a number of weeks rather than days’. There is a prospect that he could not take charge until United head to Ipswich Town on November 24th.