Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Ruben Amorim as the club's new head coach.
Amorim has signed a deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until the end of the 2026-27 season, after the Red Devils agreed to pay the reported £8.3million release clause from his contract at Sporting CP.
He guided Sporting to two Primeira Liga titles during his time in charge and succeeds Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman was sacked following a defeat at West Ham on Sunday, which left United 14th in the Premier League.
The 39-year-old becomes the second Portuguese to manage the club after Jose Mourinho, who was in charge between May 2016 and December 2018.
Amorim has a notice period to serve at Sporting, meaning he will not take charge of United until November 11.
His first match in charge will therefore come after the international break, against Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will oversee United's next three games, against Chelsea, PAOK and Leicester City.
Since he was appointed in early 2020, Amorim has taken charge of 156 Primeira Liga games at Sporting, the most of any coach in the club's history (according to Opta's records).
Meanwhile, his 120 victories in the league give him a 76.92% win ratio, which is the best of any Sporting coach on record.
In 2021, Amorim guided Sporting to their first league title in 19 years, and he won the Primeira Liga again in 2023-24.
On Thursday, Amorim promised he would comment further on the matter after Sporting's match against Estrela da Amadora on Friday.
Dwight Yorke appointed senior Soca Warriors Head coach
Former Soca Warriors and Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke has been appointed Head Coach of Trinidad and Tobago's senior men's team.
According to Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Kieron Edwards, Yorke's appointment marks a new chapter for football in the Twin Island Republic, as his primary focus will be on upcoming World Cup qualification efforts.
“With World Cup qualification in our sights, we’re thrilled to welcome Dwight Yorke as the new head coach of our men’s national team,” Edwards said in making the announcement on Friday.
“Dwight’s experience, leadership, and commitment to the red, white, and black are exactly what we need to inspire our players and our nation," he added.
Yorke expressed delight at the opportunity.
“I am proud and privileged to receive the honour of leading the Trinidad and Tobago national team. The opportunity to work with this talented, close-knit group of players is something I look forward to. Having helped Trinidad and Tobago to the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2000, captained the side at the 2006 World Cup, and been assistant manager, my love and commitment to my national team are well documented,” Yorke declared.
“I saw firsthand as a player how working together to achieve our targets brought joy and united our country. I see that same ambition and desire at all levels of the current set-up. So I look forward to building on the work of someone who I played alongside with for a number of years from youth level right up to senior team, a good friend and former teammate, Angus Eve, and the current interim head coach, Derek King. As a player, I experienced some incredible moments in a Trinidad and Tobago shirt. With this squad, I hope they can continue as head coach,” he shared.
Yorke, one of the nation’s most celebrated football figures, brings his extensive international experience as both a player and leader in the sport to his new role. Known for his tactical insight, passion, and dedication, Yorke’s appointment aligns with the TTFA’s mission to elevate T&T football to new heights.
“Dwight’s journey from a standout player to a seasoned leader in football brings a unique vision that aligns with our ambitions. We are confident he will guide us forward with purpose and pride as we work to make Trinidad and Tobago’s presence felt on the world stage once again," Edwards noted.
Yorke’s tenure as head coach begins immediately, with plans to energize the team’s training and development in preparation for the rigors of international competition. As the TTFA continues its commitment to advancing football standards in Trinidad and Tobago, Yorke’s leadership is anticipated to bring new energy and dedication to the national team.
He was captain of the Trinidad and Tobago 2006 World Cup squad during an illustrious playing career that saw him enjoy playing spells at Manchester United, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers, and Sydney FC.
Yorke also served as head coach of Australian Premier Club Macarthur FC most recently and assistant coach at Sunderland for a brief period in 2008/2009. He also served as assistant coach of T&T in 2009.
On 25 May 2022, Yorke managed the Australian A-League All Stars in their 3–2 loss to a star-studded Barcelona.
SSFL Premiership Champions-elect St. Benedict’s College aim to close out undefeated season with positive result against St. Mary’s College on Friday
Champions-elect of the 2024 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL), St. Benedict’s College, will have the chance to complete an undefeated season when they take on St. Mary’s College at Serpentine Road on Friday.
St. Benedict’s, last season’s runners-up, confirmed themselves as champions on Tuesday thanks to an 8-0 spanking of Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High on the back of five goals from captain Derrel Garcia who took his tally this season to 16 goals.
The win gave them a six-point lead over 2023 champions Fatima College with both teams having one game left. Fatima will face Malick Secondary on Friday.
Presentation College are level on points with Fatima heading into their Friday tussle with sixth-placed Naparima College.
Fourth-placed St. Anthony’s College will take on ninth-placed San Juan North while fifth-placed Arima North will face 14th-placed Speyside High.
Other Friday fixtures include Miracle Ministries vs Trinity College, Signal Hill vs East Mucurapo and St. Augustine Secondary vs Queen’s Royal College.
Nancy tells Columbus Crew to 'stay calm' ahead of crunch Red Bulls clash
Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy's main message to players and fans ahead of Game 2 against the New York Red Bulls in the MLS playoffs was not to panic.
The Crew, the MLS Cup holders, lost 1-0 in Game 1 at Lower.com Field, having beaten the Red Bulls 3-2 on the road on Decision Day little over a week beforehand to finish five places above them in the Eastern Conference.
They also had plenty of chances to get level in their playoff opener, but were kept out by great goalkeeping.
“They did what is Red Bulls style,” Nancy told the Crew's official website.
“I think that we had many, many chances so we should score at least one goal. I don't forget that they had the run in behind that was clear, and maybe they could score, but I think that we can score a minimum of one goal.
“Listen, we attacked the box, they defended well. I think that in terms of finishing we could have been better at certain moments, but we're going to address certain things.”
The result on Tuesday means that Game 2 at Red Bull Arena is now a playoff eliminator for the Crew, but the coach was not going to make major changes to their approach.
“It doesn't change,” said Nancy.
“The message that I have is to stay calm. Stay calm because again, the game was the game that we wanted to do, except the finishing and also the goal that we conceded.”
Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz was not getting carried away with the result either, despite leading 1-0 in the series and hosting Game 2.
“This is one step and we have to continue this and prepare very seriously for Sunday, the next game in our stadium,” he told a press conference.
The Red Bulls' victory at Lower.com Field constituted the first big shock of the playoffs and they have an opportunity to create another, knowing victory would knock Columbus out.
But the magnitude of the task at hand was not lost on Schwarz.
“What I can say is we need everyone in our stadium, everyone in our stadium to support the whole team, because it's a big opportunity,” he said.
“It's a big game on Sunday. We must prepare these days now, for a good recovery, good video meeting, and good video session.
“What we must adapt in some moments and then on Sunday is kick-off. We need everyone in the stadium to create this atmosphere, the special atmosphere, which you need against Columbus.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New York Red Bulls - Lewis Morgan
Morgan leads the goalscoring charts for the New York Red Bulls with 13 goals in MLS this season.
Six of those goals have been the first of the match and another opener in this fixture could be the beginning of the end for their opponents' playoff ambitions.
Columbus Crew - Cucho Hernandez
Hernandez finished the regular season as the Crew's top scorer with 19 goals in MLS, one behind Lionel Messi and four back from top scorer Christian Benteke.
He rounded off with six goals in his final six matches, while he had six shots on goal against the Red Bulls in Game 1.
MATCH PREDICTION: COLUMBUS CREW
The Crew's three-match winning streak was snapped last time out, but they were MLS Cup champions in 2023 and finished second to Inter Miami in the Eastern Conference this season.
Their defeat in Game 1 was just their seventh loss in 48 matches in all competitions in 2024. Columbus have not lost back-to-back matches since May 2023, while their last away defeat came in July.
The Red Bulls are winless in seven straight home games (D4 L3), which is their longest such run at home since 2004-05.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
New York Red Bulls - 26.2%
Draw - 23.5%
Columbus Crew - 50.3%
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
