Amorim set for shock Benfica return just days after Man Utd sacking

Ruben Amorim could be back in the dugout far sooner than expected following his abrupt exit from Manchester United. Just days after being dismissed at Old Trafford, the Portuguese coach is already being heavily linked with a high-profile return to domestic football.

According to reports in the UK and Portugal, Amorim is emerging as a leading candidate to take charge of Benfica, where Jose Mourinho’s position is increasingly under threat. Benfica have endured a frustrating campaign, falling ten points behind in the Primeira Liga title race and slipping to an underwhelming 25th place in the Champions League standings.

The club’s hierarchy is understood to be growing impatient, with pressure mounting on Mourinho to reverse a worrying decline in performances and results. In that context, Amorim’s name has resurfaced as a familiar and appealing option.

Benfica’s interest in Amorim is not new. The club have tracked his progress for several years and previously identified him as a long-term managerial target. That interest intensified last year when presidential candidate Joao Noronha Lopes openly admitted his desire to appoint Amorim, even travelling to Manchester to observe his work in person. However, Lopes ultimately lost the election to club legend Rui Costa, delaying any potential reunion.

Amorim’s dismissal from Manchester United came after a turbulent few months marked by internal friction. The final straw was an explosive post-match outburst following a 1-1 draw with Leeds, during which the coach made it clear he wanted full authority as manager rather than operating as a head coach. His comments were widely interpreted as criticism of the club’s football leadership structure.

The fallout proved irreparable. Amorim departed with a win rate of just 31.9 per cent, the lowest of any United manager in the Premier League era. Despite receiving a £12 million compensation package, his tenure will be remembered as one of the shortest and most contentious in recent club history.

Mourinho, himself a former United boss, was asked about Amorim’s situation and offered a measured response. He suggested that every manager must reflect privately on their experiences, adding that football is a cycle in which one opportunity often follows another.

For Amorim, that next opportunity may arrive almost immediately. A return to Benfica would offer both familiarity and a chance at redemption, allowing him to rebuild his reputation away from the intense scrutiny of the Premier League spotlight.