Ruben Amorim, Manchester United’s newly appointed head coach, expressed confidence in his ability to restore the club to its rightful place at the top of world football.
Amorim, 39, arrived in Manchester on Monday to take over from Erik ten Hag, becoming the seventh manager since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013. While previous managers have struggled to deliver a consistent challenge for the Premier League title, reach the latter stages of the Champions League, or complete long-term tenures, Amorim is determined to break that trend.
In his first public comments after arriving in the UK, the former Sporting CP coach declared his intent to bring success back to Old Trafford. “I will do everything I can to put this club in the place where it belongs,” he said, adding, “And I firmly believe we will succeed.”
United has shared images of Amorim meeting with players, staff, and even some fans who were touring Old Trafford at the time. The new coach is immersing himself in the club’s rich history, taking time to reflect on not only the 20 English league titles and three European Cups but also the profound tragedies, including the Munich air disaster, that have shaped the club’s identity.
Amorim believes understanding the club’s storied past is crucial for the players. “You see the trophies, and you see the tragedy we’ve experienced as a club,” he said. “After the crash, we became European champions. It’s important for the players to feel the strength of this history and understand what Manchester United represents.”
While he met with players like Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, and Mason Mount, many were still recovering from injuries, meaning Amorim’s full coaching efforts will begin next week. His squad will come together after World Cup qualifiers, with Amorim preparing for his debut match against Ipswich on 24 November.
The Portuguese coach acknowledges that his initial days will be a period of adjustment, but his primary goal is clear: to instill a strong identity into the team. “The most important thing now is to establish our principles and identity,” he explained. “We’ll focus on our playing style, pressing, and building small details. It’s crucial that the players fully understand the direction we’re going.”
Amorim’s tenure will be evaluated within the framework of Manchester United’s new leadership structure, which includes co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, board member Sir Dave Brailsford, CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth, and technical director Jason Wilcox. Amorim feels a strong connection with the club’s executives and is excited by the ambitious plans for the future, including the development of the team and the stadium.
“We want to do something special at a special club, and that was a key reason I joined,” he said. “When Manchester United presented their plans to me, it was inspiring. If the team plays well and wins, everything else falls into place, and the fans will start to believe in the new vision.”
Amorim’s appointment marks the beginning of a new era at Old Trafford, one he hopes will lead to sustained success. “It’s an honor to be the first choice to help guide the club on this new path,” he added.
SOURCE: BBC
Join our WhatsApp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakDz4u9RZATWh53yC1a
