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Reports that Xavi Hernandez turned down an offer from Ineos to become Manchester United’s manager have been turned on their head following a new report from The Independent.
Following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal as manager, his assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy has been put in charge on an interim basis, with Rúben Amorim set to take up the permanent reins as head coach on November 11th.
However, reports earlier in the week claimed that Amorim was only offered the job after the former Barcelona boss rejected it. But these are not accurate. In fact, it was United’s determination to get Amorim that led to a rather insulting offer being made to the Spaniard.
Reporter Miguel Delaney explains that United first approach Amorim during the October international break, but “the initial response wasn’t effusive, which is one reason Ten Hag remained in a job that bit longer than he might have.”
The reason for the Portuguese’s hesitance is that he did not want to leave Sporting in midseason. Instead, he expressed his keenness to join United at the end of the current campaign.
It was for this reason that Xavi was approached with an offer to be interim boss for the remainder of the season.
He rejected this interim offer, never one of a permanent appointment.
“Xavi Hernandez was only viewed as a temporary option until the end of the season, which was something the former Barcelona manager was not open to,” Delaney explains.
“That was also when it was felt Amorim would only move at the end of the season. United had concluded the Portuguese fit most of their parameters better than any other candidate.
“They also managed to convince him that now was the time. Amorim did float the idea of moving at the end of the season, but United were insistent.”
The reporter suggests that during that period when Amorim expressed reluctance, Ineos were seriously considering Thomas Tuchel again, and were rocked when he snapped up the England job.
The question as to why Amorim was not interviewed last summer is also addressed by The Independent. It is claimed that Chief Executive Omar Berrada and Director of Football Dan Ashworth had not been in place in time to influence the process.
Delaney states that “The move is being driven by this new leadership, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe giving his blessing due to how highly the coach is rated.”
By implication, this suggests that the summer shortlist was drawn up by the likes of Jean-Claude Blanc and Sir Dave Brailsford, neither of whom are true football men.
