Ruben Amorim has kept a notably low profile since leaving Manchester United in January, with no new job, no public re-emergence, and only scattered links shaping the early picture of his next move.
So far, those links have hardly pointed towards Europe’s elite.
As previously reported, Amorim was even loosely associated with a potential move to a mid-table Brazilian side. That alone hinted at how open – and uncertain – his situation has become following his exit from Manchester United.
Now, attention shifts back towards Portugal.
Benfica angle emerges
Benfica are not actively searching for a new manager. José Mourinho remains in charge, and there has been no internal movement towards a change.
Still, Ruben Amorim’s name is starting to hover in the background, as per Record. It was already suggested by Portuguese journalists last month, but now this conversation started to gather pace in the local press.
Record state: ”Ghost’ Amorim looms over Luz’, a reference to the club’s stadium.
The timing is not random of course. Benfica are currently third in the Portuguese league, seven points behind Porto at the top. In addition, they have only six matches left this season.
That’s because they were knocked out of the Champions League in the playoffs by Real Madrid. They also exited the Portuguese Cup in the quarter-finals against Porto, and the League Cup in the semi-finals against Braga.
So it’s fair to say their campaign has fallen short of expectations.
The idea is not being driven by the club hierarchy at this stage. Instead, it is gaining traction externally. Supporters have begun to push the suggestion, seeing Amorim as a natural fit despite his strong ties to Sporting.
Amorim built his reputation at Sporting, winning three league titles and establishing a clear tactical identity. Even so, his past as a Benfica player and his current availability make him an appealing option for some around the club.
Manchester United context shapes perception
Ruben Amorim left Manchester United midway through the season. Expectations had been high when he arrived, but results did not settle, and the project was cut short.
Since then, he has not rushed into a new role. There have been no serious negotiations elsewhere, and no clear indication of his preferred destination. Importantly, a return to Portugal has not been part of his immediate plan.
However, that stance may not be fixed. If opportunities at the top level fail to materialise, a shift in thinking could follow. Benfica, in that case, would represent both familiarity and a chance to rebuild momentum.
What happens next
Ruben Amorim remains a free agent, and his next move is still undefined.
For now, Benfica’s interest sits in a speculative space rather than an active pursuit. There have been no contacts and no formal steps taken.
Even so, the mere presence of his name around the club reflects his standing in Portuguese football – and the lack of clarity around his future after Manchester United.
From a United perspective, the situation underlines how quickly the narrative has changed. Not long ago, Amorim was leading one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Now, he is weighing up what comes next, with options that may look very different from what many expected.
