When managers want out of a job these days, they comment on a press conference criticizing those above them. Nuno Espirito Santo and Enzo Maresca both did it, and now Ruben Amorim has too. All three received the same fate of being shown the door, which appeared to be what they wanted.
Amorim had done a good job with Sporting CP, and managing Manchester United was a huge opportunity for him. He would have wanted to take the job when he had a full pre-season to work with the players. However, it was now or never when he succeeded Erik ten Hag.
Amorim's insistence on playing a 3-4-2-1 formation was heavily criticized. His time at the club will be deemed a failure, but he is only 40, and there will be future opportunities for the United manager.
5 potential landing spots for Ruben Amorim after Man United sacking
West Ham United
Amorim has held talks with West Ham United in the past. However, he did admit that this was a mistake. It is unlikely he will take charge of the Hammers in a relegation battle this season, so soon after leaving Manchester United.
West Ham United may need a successor to the under-fire Nuno soon, but it will not be Amorim. If by some miracle, the Hammers do stay in the Premier League this season, then Amorim could be a good fit. After failing with United, he could prove himself in English soccer with West Ham.
Sporting CP
Amorim had great success with Sporting, with whom he won the Primeira Liga three times. They are currently second in the division to FC Porto and managed by Rui Borges. If the opportunity arises to manage his former club, Amorim should be interested.
Benfica
Amorim has had his best success as a manager with Sporting, but as a player, it was with Benfica. The former United manager won three Primeira Liga titles with Benfica, and was part of their side that got to the Europa League final in 2014.
Returning to the club he played for would be fitting for Amorim. Benfica is, of course, now managed by Jose Mourinho. However, Mourinho's lifespan at clubs is often relatively short. They are currently third in the Primeira Liga, and a successor to Mourinho may soon be needed.
Portugal national team
Roberto MartÃnez currently manages the Portugal national team. Depending on how they perform at the World Cup this year, they may want to consider changing manager after the tournament. Amorim will be fatigued from managing United, with all the pressure that comes with it. Therefore, he may want to take an international job to avoid the stresses of working day in and day out. Amorim only made 14 appearances for Portugal, so he may feel he has unfinished business with the national team.
Juventus
Often, former United managers take a job away from the Premier League following their sacking. David Moyes went to Real Sociedad, Louis van Gaal returned to managing the Netherlands, and Ten Hag had a very brief spell with Bayer Leverkusen.
Serie A could be a division that Amorim might want to try. After managing United, your standard of clubs you would work with in the future should be high. Juventus is another big club that is currently far from the heights of its history.
The Old Lady is currently fourth in Serie A, but only six points off the leaders, Inter Milan. The club is known for hiring and firing managers recently. They had four last year: Thiago Motta, Igor Tudor, Massimo Brambilla, and Luciano Spalletti. Spalletti is still their manager, but Juve have not had a long-term manager since Massimiliano Allegri.