Ruben Amorim says Manchester United told him it was "now or never" after he asked to finish the season with Sporting instead of immediately taking the club he was meant to join.
A week that began with the sacking of Erik ten Hag after a disappointing start to his third season in charge of the club, ended with the exciting appointment of the talented 39-year-old as manager.
Amorim has agreed on a contract until June 2027, with an option for a further year, and will start work at United on Monday, November 11 after overseeing Sporting's final games before the international break.
The former Portugal international departs on an €11m (£9.2m) deal and gave a detailed overview of the situation after scoring in Friday's 5-1 league win at home to Estrela from Amadora.
"I had a conversation with the president (Frederico Varandas) and I told him that whatever happens, this will be my last season with Sporting," Amorim said in the press conference after the match. "The president is here. He can confirm that.
"The season started, we know we started very well. And then this happened with Manchester United.
"Manchester United appears, they pay above the compensation clause and the president protects the interests of the club. I never discussed this matter with the president.
"The only question I asked was to leave only at the end of the season. For three days I said that I wanted to stay until the end of the season, but then I was told that it was not possible.
"It was now or never, otherwise Manchester would choose another option.
"So I had three days to decide, to make a decision that would radically change my life. But I had three days to make this decision and that's what I did.
"I had other opportunities - the president and sporting director Hugo Viana can confirm this. This is not the first or second time that I have been approached by another team and I do not want another team.
"After Sporting, I wanted this, Manchester, and I want this context because this context allows me to do things my way and the club trusts me like that. It's like Sporting. "There is a moment when I have to take a step forward in my career. This is what happened.
"It was more difficult for me than any Sporting fan, believe me, but I had to do it. »
Amorimi continued in a long and passionate press conference: “I mean, let's not beat around the bush.
"There is a club that said that if I refuse him now in six months, I will not have him and I knew that in six months I will leave Sporting, so I did not want to regret not making this decision.
"I know it was a disappointment for the fans of Sporting and I did not take the risk or wait until the end of the season and then I would not have the same club that I wanted to train.
"The president knows because I had other offers and I didn't want them before, but I wanted this one, so I made my decision.
"But now I go home happier because I explained myself. People say it's about money, but another team wanted to sign me first and paid three times more than Manchester. »
Amorim insisted it was difficult to leave a club he loved but, after changing his mind, said he would regret losing the chance to manage United.
The 39-year-old understands that some Sporting fans are upset with his decision and was grateful for the standing ovation he received before Viktor Gyokeres scored four goals in the defeat of Estrela.
Amorim has vowed not to sign the Sweden international or any other Sporting players in January but has confirmed his coaching staff will join him in England.
His assistants Carlos Fernandes and Adelio Candido will join him at Old Trafford, with Emanuel Ferro, Jorge Vital, and Paulo Barreira also said to be about to leave.
"I will take my staff with me," said Amorim. "This has always been one of my conditions.
"I brought him from Casa Pia, the first club I coached. At the moment I'm focused on the matches, I'm here to defend Sporting. That's all."
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