It all started in 2003 with what would become one of the best players in the history of football. Twenty-one years later, the “lions” lost, also to Manchester United, one of the most promising coaches in European football.
From Cristiano Ronaldo to Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United has always managed to gain an advantage in the deals it did with Sporting CP, whether in the sale of passes for values much higher than what it paid to the Portuguese or even in the appreciation of football players. In total, the deals between Sporting CP and Manchester United yielded almost 130 million euros to the Portuguese but the market value of these football players more than doubled that amount: 265.5 million euros
To the 130 million euros, we add almost 12 million euros. Sporting CP made a new deal with Manchester United official this Friday (with the departure of Rúben Amorim to one of the most powerful clubs in Europe), the first to involve a coach. Therefore, it is important to take stock of the business history between the two clubs.
The recent history of these transactions between the two clubs began with a bang in a hot August 2003, during the inauguration of the Alvalade Stadium: the young talent Cristiano Ronaldo performed at a great level and in the end, the United players asked Alex Ferguson to consider hiring him.
That same month, the one who would become one of the best football players in history would be transferred for a modest 19 million euros, an insignificant amount considering that Cristiano would be transferred six years later for 94 million (to Real Madrid) and his value of market would reach 120 million euros in January 2018. Not to mention the titles, goals and assists that would leave the Portuguese’s mark on the “Red Devils”.
Four years after Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United came to Alvalade to look for what was seen by the English club as the new CR7. In July 2007, Nani left Sporting CP and went to Manchester for 25.5 million euros. Despite having had good seasons in England, the impact was not as expected but still, in June 2012, his pass was valued at 36.5 million euros.
More recently, Marcos Rojo left Lisbon for Manchester in a deal valued at 20 million euros (in 2014) and six years later, United convinced Sporting CP to transfer what was the Lions’ best and most valuable asset at the time. : Bruno Fernandes would be transferred for R$65 million in January 2020 and at the end of the year, his pass would be valued at R$90 million.
It should be noted that in four and a half years with Rúben Amorim at the helm, Sporting CP collected 118.4 million euros in UEFA prizes and guaranteed sales of footballer passes that reached 363.8 million euros, to which is added the value of the coach’s pass itself: R$10 million.
In total, not counting other installments that can be associated with the coach’s work, the financial impact of one of the most promising Portuguese coaches today is 492.3 million euros.
Official Amorim at United
Coach Rúben Amorim signed for Manchester United until June 2027, leaving the technical command of Sporting, champion and leader of the national football championship, the two clubs reported today.
The English club’s note also states that the coach will remain with the ‘lions’ until November 11th, so he will be in charge of the Portuguese team for three more matches, two in the League (Estrela da Amadora and Sporting de Braga) and one in the Champions League (Manchester City).
In a statement sent to the Securities Market Commission (CMVM), Sporting informs that Manchester United will pay 11 million euros (ME) for the coach, in addition to the ‘lions’ having “a benefit of 1,658 ME relating to the extinction of rights receivables, recorded as liabilities and contingent liabilities, as a result of the revocation and renegotiation of contracts referring to intermediation fees”.
The former midfielder heads to the most important world championship at the age of 39, after just seven seasons as a coach, on a path that began at Casa Pia and with Sporting de Braga, before, in 2019/20, arriving at the ‘lions’, the in exchange for the 10 million euros in the termination clause.
Rúben Amorim signed a contract valid until June 2027 for the ‘Red Devils’, who, after nine rounds, occupy 14th position in the Premier League, with 11 points, 12 behind rivals and four-time champions Manchester City, who lead.
Manchester United’s Latest Transfer: A Comedy of Errors or Genius?
It seems that every time Manchester United makes a move, it leaves you wondering whether they’re playing chess or checkers. Not that I’ve played checkers since I was six – my strategy back then involved throwing all the pieces on the floor and claiming a moral victory. Yet, here they are again, adding Rúben Amorim to their star-studded, if slightly mismanaged, roster.
So, let’s set the scene: it all kicked off in 2003 when Cristiano Ronaldo, still a baby-faced wonder, strolled into the Alvalade Stadium and made one of the most lucrative exits in football history. You might say he was like a kid walking into a sweet shop and walking out with the entire stock. Fast forward twenty years, and here we are, with United snagging the coach of Sporting CP, Rúben Amorim, for 11 million euros. Yes, that’s right, 11 million euros. It’s almost like they found him under the sofa cushions!
Now, while this transfer may be as predictable as a plot twist in a soap opera, it’s worth taking stock of the delightful history between Manchester United and Sporting CP. Like a good relationship, it’s a mix of high stakes and high returns. From Ronaldo to Bruno Fernandes – it’s all been a bit of a financial rollercoaster for Sporting, who raked in about 130 million euros from this particular cash cow, not to mention the astronomical market value of the players involved. Quite right too; we all know football is a game of cash, not just skills.
Now, if you step back and look at the chronological genius of it all, you’d think Sporting CP is just a feeder club for United’s extravagant whims. The way United snatched players from the Portuguese side over the years has been akin to a toddler in a candy store – not exactly subtle! Cristiano Ronaldo for 19 million euros? That’s a deal that should come with a free ‘Best Investment of the Year’ trophy. And don’t even get me started on Nani – he may not have been the next Ronaldo, but he certainly had his moments. His transfer at 25.5 million euros was like finding a useable pencil in a box of broken crayons.
But let’s not gloss over the main event here: Amorim, who has led Sporting to dizzying heights, leaving them in good standing while packing his bags for a club languishing in mid-table obscurity. Signing a contract until June 2027 might be optimistic; can United really turn things around, or are they just signing players so they can have a name that sounds good on the back of a shirt?
As Amorim heads off to Manchester, with the ‘Lions’ still clinging onto their hopes of league glory, one can’t help but wonder how long it’ll take for the new United coach to figure out how to get the best out of the talents at his disposal, or if he’ll instead spend his time trying to decipher the enigma that is Paul Pogba…
In the end, whether this latest move is a stroke of genius or merely an expensive mistake will depend on whether Rúben Amorim can turn around the Titanic that is Manchester United before it sinks under the weight of expectations. Welcome to England, Rúben; may your stay be filled with trophies – or if nothing else, at least some hearty laughs!
It all began in the summer of 2003 when a young Cristiano Ronaldo showcased his immense talent to the world during the inauguration of the Alvalade Stadium. Fast forward 21 years, the “lions” faced defeat once again to Manchester United, this time bidding farewell to Rúben Amorim, one of the brightest coaching prospects in European football.
From the early days of Cristiano Ronaldo to the recent acquisition of Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United has expertly leveraged its dealings with Sporting CP. The English side has consistently reaped rewards from these transactions, paying significantly lower fees than the market valuations later achieved by the players, amassing nearly 130 million euros through these agreements. Surprisingly, the combined market value of these athletes has soared to an astonishing 265.5 million euros, reflecting the deep-rooted connection between the two clubs.
In addition to the 130 million euros earned from player transfers, Sporting CP has recently finalized an additional deal valued at almost 12 million euros involving the high-profile departure of Rúben Amorim to one of Europe’s elite clubs. This marks a historic moment in which a coach is officially transferred, emphasizing the importance of reflecting on the fruitful partnership between the two clubs over the years.
The notable exchange between Sporting CP and Manchester United kicked off with a bang in August 2003, a month that forever changed the landscape of football. Cristiano Ronaldo, then a prodigious young talent, delivered a stellar performance, leading some of United’s players to urge manager Alex Ferguson to secure his signature without delay.
That same month, Cristiano Ronaldo made the leap to Manchester United for a modest fee of 19 million euros—an amount that paled in comparison to the staggering 94 million euros he would command six years later in his transfer to Real Madrid. By January 2018, his market value had escalated to an impressive 120 million euros. The legacy he left at Manchester would be measured not only in trophies but also in the numerous goals and assists he provided during his illustrious tenure with the “Red Devils.”
In July 2007, just four years after Ronaldo’s departure, Manchester United returned to Alvalade seeking what they believed could be the next CR7. Nani, tagged as a potential star, made his move to Manchester for 25.5 million euros. Although he enjoyed decent seasons across five years with the club, he ultimately failed to replicate the magnitude of Ronaldo’s impact. Nevertheless, by June 2012, Nani’s transfer value had climbed to 36.5 million euros, reflecting his enduring potential.
More recently, in 2014, Marcos Rojo made the transition from Lisbon to Manchester in a deal worth 20 million euros. Following that, in January 2020, Manchester United successfully negotiated with Sporting CP for the transfer of Bruno Fernandes, recognized as the lions’ most valuable player at the time. The transfer fee of 65 million euros later saw his market value escalate to 90 million euros by the end of that year—demonstrating United’s keen eye for talent.
During Rúben Amorim’s remarkable four-and-a-half-year tenure at Sporting CP, the club was able to secure an impressive 118.4 million euros in UEFA prize money. Additionally, they recorded player sales that reached a staggering 363.8 million euros, not to mention the 10 million euros garnered from Amorim’s own transfer to Manchester United, underscoring his financial impact.
In total, when accounting for various other potential revenues tied to Amorim’s exceptional coaching capabilities, the overall financial outcome attributed to one of Portugal’s most promising managers has reached an estimated 492.3 million euros, a testament to his influence in the footballing world.
Official Amorim at United
Coach Rúben Amorim has officially signed on with Manchester United until June 2027, changing course from his role at Sporting, where he led the club to numerous successes and currently stands atop the national football league. Both clubs released announcements today confirming this significant transition.
According to Manchester United’s official statement, Amorim will remain with Sporting CP until November 11th, allowing him to manage the team for three upcoming matches: two league fixtures against Estrela da Amadora and Sporting de Braga, along with a crucial Champions League clash against Manchester City.
In an official communication to the Securities Market Commission (CMVM), Sporting CP confirmed that Manchester United will pay 11 million euros for Amorim’s services. The Portuguese club will also benefit from a sum of 1.658 million euros related to the cancellation of certain accounts previously established as liabilities and contingent liabilities due to a reassessment of agent fees.
The former midfielder embarks on this prestigious journey at the age of 39, having only recently commenced his coaching career just seven years ago. Following tenures with Casa Pia and Sporting de Braga, Amorim took the reins at Sporting CP in the 2019/20 season after the club exercised his 10 million euros release clause.
Rúben Amorim’s contract with Manchester United is set to last until June 2027, a significant development for the ‘Red Devils’, who currently rank 14th in the Premier League standings with 11 points, trailing their fierce rivals, Manchester City, by 12 points. The coming seasons will not only challenge Amorim’s tactical prowess but also his ability to uplift the struggling squad at one of the world’s most storied football clubs.
Gned with Manchester United until June 2027, marking a significant shift in his career from leading Sporting CP, a team he steered to domestic success. With his departure, Amorim leaves behind a solid foundation at Sporting, where he was both celebrated and influential.
Following his recent tenure, Amorim is set to guide the ‘Red Devils’ through adding fresh perspectives to a struggling team currently sitting mid-table in the Premier League. His contract, valued at 11 million euros, underscores the commitment United has made to rejuvenate their management structure and potentially their fortunes.
The narrative surrounding Amorim’s move is steeped in historical context—his transfer is part of an ongoing symbiotic relationship between Manchester United and Sporting CP, highlighted by previous high-profile transactions like Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes. This connection has often benefited United substantially, as they’ve historically paid less than the eventual market values of these players, creating significant profit margins.
As Amorim embarks on this new adventure, the challenge before him will be to transform United’s current trajectory and develop the raw talent within the squad. The looming question remains: can he transpose his previous success at Sporting into impactful results at Old Trafford? The football world will be watching closely as he aims to steer United back to glory, where expectations run high and the stakes are even higher.
Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United could establish him as a new figure of a coaching era, or it could highlight the complexities that come with such a high-profile role in a club with rich expectations. Only time will tell how this transfer saga unfolds, but for now, it’s a significant chapter in both Amorim’s career and Manchester United’s storied history.