BRUNO FERNANDES has hailed a top European manager as having the quality to lead a Premier League side.
The Manchester United star’s comments come with Erik ten Hag’s future in doubt.
The Red Devils boss has come under scrutiny over the club’s poor start to the season.
Old Trafford chiefs held a meeting earlier this week in which Ten Hag’s future was discussed.
It appears that the club are willing to stick by the former Ajax manager for now, but that has not stopped others from being linked with the post.
The likes of Gareth Southgate, Graham Potter and Thomas Tuchel have been touted as potential options.
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However, club captain Fernandes has insisted that Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, 39, is capable of succeeding in England.
The Portuguese coach has led the club to two titles in his homeland and is well-regarded.
He was believed to be one of the front-runners for the Liverpool and West Ham jobs in the summer before the roles went to Arne Slot and Julen Lopetegui.
Fernandes has suggested that Amorim is “prepared” and full of “quality” as a manager.
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He told CNN Portugal: “Since Mr Amorim arrived at Sporting, it has been one of the teams to practice better football.
“They have been consistent, the signings have been right and they are in a very good moment. It’s a very well-prepared team.
“In relation to Amorim, it shows at this moment he is prepared.
“Coaching Sporting and winning championships is not easy, Sporting went 20 years without winning championships and Amorim arrived and has already won two.
“This shows that the work has been done well.
“If he could manage to do the same in England, Spain or anywhere else, you will never know until you get there, but I am sure his qualities are there for everyone to see.”
Fernandes joined Man United from Sporting Lisbon back in January 2020 in a £47million transfer.
Amorim arrived at the club in March of that year when he replaced the sacked Jorge Manuel Rebelo Fernandes.
Nine managers Man Utd considered before keeping Erik ten Hag
ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.
Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.
Gareth Southgate
Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.
Kieran McKenna
Talks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.
Roberto De Zerbi
Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.
Thomas Frank
Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.
Marco Silva
Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.
Mauricio Pochettino
Fell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Thomas Tuchel
Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.
Ruben Amorim
Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
