Ruben Amorim says he wanted to change Manchester United’s direction at the end of the season but authorized a mid-season appointment when he was told it was “now or never”.
Amorim, 39, was unveiled as Manchester United’s unused head coach on Friday and will complete his trip to Used Trafford from the Lisbon club wearing a St. Martin’s Day suit.
Speaking about Wearing’s first game since that announcement (a 5-1 league win that maintained his best start in the next 10 games), Amorim explained that his best request following United’s path was to take a look at the flow campaign , which he had already informed The club president could be his latest target.
But the Portuguese manager was told that would be impossible as the Premier League club sought an immediate replacement for Erik ten Hag, who was sacked on Monday.
“The season started, we started very well and then Manchester United came, they paid above the compensation clause and the president defends the interests of the club,” defined Amorim.
“I never spoke about anything with the president. For three days I said I wanted to stay until the end of the season, but then they told me it wasn’t possible.
“It was now or never, or Manchester would move on to another option. So I had three days to think and create a decision that would radically change my year.”
Amorim, who has agreed a contract until June 2027, is the sixth permanent manager United have appointed since Sir Alex Ferguson’s illustrious 26-year reign ended with his retirement in 2013.
He has earned a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising managers, leading Sporting to two league titles, including the club’s first in 19 years, but said he only wanted Manchester United as his next step.
“I have had alternatives: the president and [director of football] Hugo Viana can verify it. It is no longer the first or second rhythm that other groups ask me for and I don’t need any other group,” Amorim said.
“I was looking for the next use, Manchester, and I need that context because that context allows me to do things my way and the club believes me that way.
“There is a moment when I have to take a step forward in my career. That’s what happened. It was more difficult for me than for any Sporting fan, believe me, but I had to do it.”
And he added: “Now I go home happier because I have explained it to myself. People say ‘it’s about the money’, but there was another team that wanted to hire me before and they paid three times more than Manchester.
“It was the most efficient phase of my year. Everyone at Wearing knows it. I understand the discontent of the fans, but today is not a see you later. We still have two impressive games against Manchester Town.” [in the Champions League] and panties [in the league] to protect the summit.”
20-time English champions United are 14th after nine Premier League games this season, with Ruud van Nistelrooy overseeing the next three games (two league and one Europa League) as interim manager ahead of the arrival of Amorim.
Van Nistelrooy’s future at the club remains unclear and Amorim has expressed his desire to take his current staff to Old Trafford, having worked under the same coaches since starting his first job at Portuguese club Casa Pia in 2018.
“I can drag my team of workers with me. That was always one of my statuses. I brought them with me from Casa Pia,” Amorim said.
He also insisted he would not buy Sporting players again in the January transfer window after watching Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres score four goals on Friday.
“Gyokeres costs 100 million and is very complicated. I am not going to hire any Wearing player in January,” Amorim said.
