Premier League
New Era Begins: Ruben Amorim Takes On The Challenge At Manchester United
New Manchester United head coach, Ruben Amorim, said he is under no illusions about the difficulty of the task he faces when he moves to England from Portugal but he is looking forward to the challenge.
The Premier League club announced earlier this month that they have appointed Amorim as their new coach. The Portuguese manager will be joining from Sporting on Monday and has signed a contract lasting until June 2027.
Amorim, who replaces sacked Dutchman Erik ten Hag at United, marked his final game as coach of Sporting with a 4-2 comeback victory at Braga on Sunday.
Having concluded his four-year tenure at Sporting, Amorim is already focused on the challenges that lie ahead.
However, he emphasizes that taking the helm at one of the world’s biggest clubs will not alter his approach or style.
“I won’t become a different person. I know I’ll be fine. Whether it’s three months or 10 years, I know I’ll be fine. I’m fully aware of what’s important in life,” he told Sport TV.
“Whatever comes, will come. I want to win. I’ll be in a better mood if I win but more upset if I lose. I certainly won’t lose my essence, I’d sooner lose my coaching career. It’s going to be difficult, I’m not under any illusions. But it’s what it has to be.”
In his post-match press conference, Amorim added, “I feel ready for the new challenge. I’m not naive; I know it’s going to be very different and very difficult.
“I’m at peace now. I can focus on my new job, and I’m looking forward to starting tomorrow. I know it will be difficult to reproduce what I have here anywhere else, but there are other places with different exposure and pressure.
Amorim apologized to Sporting fans for leaving them now with the team six points clear at the top of the table.
“I’m sorry for this decision in the middle of the season but I felt it was my time and my path. I need to be fully committed,” he added.
Difficulties Amorim will face in Manchester
Given United’s challenges, especially in attack where they have scored only 12 goals in 11 league matches, Amorim was inquired about the possibility of signing Viktor Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker from Sporting.
Gyokeres has already scored 23 goals this season and has only been unable to find the net in two of his 16 appearances.
“We can’t go somewhere and try to replicate what happened here,” he said. “The leagues are different, I’m not there yet. I don’t know what the team needs more. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Ruud’s last game as interim manager
United’s 3-0 Premier League win against Leicester on Sunday brought the curtain down on Ruud van Nistelrooy’s unbeaten four-match stint as Erik ten Hag’s interim successor.
Amorim won’t be able to begin coaching until he receives his visa; however, he can visit Carrington for meetings in the meantime.
United sources expect the visa process to be concluded promptly and have been irked by the suggestion there has been a setback given standard procedures are being followed.
Amorim decision on backroom staff
The composition of the 39-year-old’s backroom team has yet to be confirmed but the incoming head coach has said he will be bringing in some of his staff.
It remains uncertain whether Van Nistelrooy, who came back to the club this summer as Ten Hag’s assistant and has a contract that runs until 2026, will continue at United.
Amorim is not expected to face the media until the end of the international break but will do in-house interviews before then.
