Ruben Amorim could be offered an escape from his Manchester United nightmare after the leading candidate to become Benfica’s next president turned up at the Etihad to watch Sunday’s derby debacle.
Joao Noronha Lopes has made no secret of his plans to take Amorim back to Benfica if he usurps Rui Costa in next month’s elections, and is currently ahead in the polls.
Lopes was at the Etihad to witness United’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday when he was pictured with his vice-president Nuno Gomes – one of Amorim’s best friends who played alongside him for Benfica and Portugal – and general director Pedro Ferreira.
It came 24 hours after Gomes told Portuguese media that it is Amorim’s destiny to return to the Estadio da Luz where he was a member of the club’s academy and spent nine years as a player.
Gomes was asked if their friendship would open the door to Amorim, a boyhood Benfica fan, taking over if Lopes wins the election.
He replied: ‘Ruben Amorim is the coach of Manchester United, I can’t answer that question. One thing I know, Ruben Amorim will be the coach of Benfica one day.
Ruben Amorim could be offered an escape from his Man United nightmare by Benfica
Benfica presidential candidate Joao Noronha Lopes, centre, attended the Manchester derby with Nuno Gomes, left, and general director Pedro Ferreira, right
Nuno Gomes has claimed Amorim’s destiny is to return to the club where he spent nine years as a player
‘Joao has already shown in recent years that he is capable of changing Benfica, to make it greater and different from what it has been in recent years.’
Current Benfica coach Bruno Lage is unlikely to stay beyond his contract which runs out at the end of the season. The former Wolves boss could go even sooner if Lopes beats Costa and former president Luis Filipe Vieira in the elections on October 25.
The Lisbon millionaire has also stated his ambition to re-sign City star Bernardo Silva for Benfica.
United sources insisted on Monday that Amorim still has their backing despite the club’s worst start to a season in 33 years.
However, the former Sporting Lisbon coach cast further doubt over his future after the game by saying he would rather be sacked than change his 3-4-2-1 system.
‘I am not going to change,’ he said. ‘When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the man.
‘Until I am here, I will do my best. The rest is not my decision.’
