Benfica presidential candidate Joao Noronha Lopes denies rumors of bringing Ruben Amorim to the club, expressing full support for current coach Bruno Lage. Lopes also clarifies he did not meet with Bernardo Silva, focusing on preparing for Benfica’s future amidst managerial speculation surrounding Amorim’s position at Manchester United.
Joao Noronha Lopes, a presidential candidate for Benfica, has refuted claims that he plans to bring Manchester United's under-pressure manager, Ruben Amorim, back to Portugal. With Benfica's elections set for October 25, Noronha Lopes aims to succeed Manu Rui Costa and has already expressed his desire to lure Manchester City's captain, Bernardo Silva, back to his former club.
Recent reports suggested that Noronha Lopes was also interested in bringing Amorim to the Estadio da Luz, particularly after Amorim was seen at United's 3-0 defeat against Manchester City. Amorim's future at Old Trafford has been a hot topic, with United accumulating only 31 points from his 31 Premier League matches in charge.
Since Amorim took over last November, the Red Devils hold the worst record among all 17 Premier League ever-present clubs. Tottenham has also managed 31 points, but with a slightly better goal difference. However, Benfica will not be offering Amorim a way out, as Noronha Lopes is committed to sticking with Bruno Lage, who led the team to a second-place finish in the Primeira Liga last season.
"He's a great coach, but he has a contract with Manchester United," Noronha Lopes stated when questioned about Amorim, as reported by Record. "He is a Benfica fan. Of course, I like him, but I don’t have a contract for Ruben to sign. Bruno Lage will be Benfica’s coach, naturally. I will work with him, as he is Benfica’s coach. I will not be a factor in Benfica’s instability.”
Noronha Lopes also denied having met with Manchester City midfielder Silva before the Manchester derby. The 31-year-old is eligible to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with a non-English club from January, with his current contract set to expire in June.
"We went to Manchester to watch the derby and took the opportunity to hold meetings and prepare for Benfica’s future," Noronha Lopes told reporters. "I didn’t meet with Bernardo or Ruben before the game. Ruben is under contract with Manchester United, and I don’t comment on Manchester United’s results.”
Amorim's Premier League win rate is currently at 26% (8 out of 31 games), the lowest among any manager to have led United in the top flight since World War II. Among managers who have overseen at least 20 such games for United, only Alfred Albut (20% from 1892 to 1900) and Scott Duncan (24% from 1932 to 1937) have a worse win ratio.
Critics have targeted Amorim's continued use of his signature 3-4-3 formation, and former United midfielder Paul Scholes believes that Amorim must adapt his tactics to remain in his position. “He cannot carry on playing this way, he just can’t,” Scholes told BBC Sport.
“At some point there has to be a moment where he thinks, ‘I have to change something because what I am doing now is not working and I am not getting results’. I like Amorim, with everything he says, he seems to be a likeable man. But unfortunately, the results paint a picture. At this moment in time, it isn’t good enough. If results don’t improve, performances don’t really matter that much. He has to win some games or the pressure is going to come on him massively.”
In summary, Joao Noronha Lopes' firm stance indicates a desire for stability at Benfica, prioritizing the current coach, Bruno Lage, and dismissing any potential move for Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim.