Ruben Amorim set to join Benfica

Ruben Amorim is set to return to management with Benfica, according to a May 19 report by Goal, in a move that would bring the former Manchester United coach back to Portugal. Goal said Benfica are lining up Amorim to replace Jose Mourinho as the Lisbon club prepares for a managerial change. Contract terms were not disclosed in the report. Benfica had not publicly confirmed an appointment as of May 19. Manchester United dismissed Amorim on Jan. 5 after 14 months in charge, the Premier League and British media reported at the time. The league said United announced his departure with immediate effect and said Darren Fletcher would take charge against Burnley. United’s statement said the club acted with the team sitting sixth in the Premier League. (goal.com) ### Why is Benfica the job now linked to Amorim? Goal reported on May 19 that Benfica are preparing a managerial change and have identified Amorim as the coach to take over. The outlet said the 41-year-old has been out of work since leaving Old Trafford in January and is now close to returning to the dugout. (premierleague.com) Yahoo Sports had already reported on March 19 that Amorim was the leading candidate to take over at Benfica, citing reports in Portugal. That report said uncertainty around Mourinho’s position had opened the way for Benfica to consider Amorim. ### What was said about Jose Mourinho’s future? (goal.com) Jose Mourinho said on May 11 that he would be able to answer questions about “my future and, more important, Benfica’s future” from the following Monday, according to Record. The comment came after Benfica’s draw with Braga, and Record’s video item presented it as part of the discussion around his position. (uk.sports.yahoo.com) Goal’s May 19 report said Amorim was being lined up specifically to replace Mourinho. Neither the Goal report nor the Record item disclosed financial terms or a timetable for a formal handover. ### Why would an Amorim move to Benfica draw attention in Portugal? (record.pt) Yahoo Sports said such a move would be contentious because Amorim built his coaching reputation at Sporting Lisbon, Benfica’s city rival. The report said he had also spent most of his playing career at Benfica, where he made 154 appearances, giving him ties to both sides of one of Portuguese football’s biggest rivalries. (goal.com) Transfermarkt’s coach profile lists Amorim as a former Benfica player and shows him out of work since Jan. 5, 2026, after leaving Manchester United. ### How did Amorim leave Manchester United? The Premier League said Amorim’s win percentage of 31.9% was the lowest of any permanent Manchester United manager in the Premier League era. (uk.sports.yahoo.com) The league also said United finished 15th in his first campaign and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur, missing European football for 2025-26. (transfermarkt.pt) The Standard reported that United’s leadership team, including chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, took the decision after tensions surfaced following a 1-1 draw at Leeds United. ### What is still not known? Benfica had not issued a public announcement on May 19 confirming Amorim’s appointment, and no contract length, salary or start date had been disclosed in the reports reviewed. (premierleague.com) Goal described the move as close but not yet completed. (standard.co.uk) The next concrete step is a formal statement from Benfica or Amorim. As of May 19, the public reporting pointed to an expected appointment, with Mourinho’s departure and Benfica’s confirmation still pending. (goal.com)