Former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim’s departure had most of his players in tears
The moment Ruben Amorim revealed he was leaving Sporting CP, the atmosphere amongst his players shifted from elation to heartbreak. The 40-year-old, who was dismissed by Manchester United on Monday, left Old Trafford just 14 months after departing the Portuguese club for an opportunity in English football.
When Amorim arrived in Manchester, there was genuine optimism given Sporting’s remarkable success under his leadership. Having transformed the club into Portugal’s dominant force – a status previously reserved almost exclusively for Porto or Benfica – his departure understandably hit his squad hard.
At the time of his departure, Sporting were sitting comfortably at the top of the Primeira Liga and had just delivered a sensational 4-1 thrashing of Manchester City in the Champions League.
Morale in the dressing room was understandably sky-high, and it was following a remarkable comeback triumph that Amorim broke the news to his players about accepting the United position.
Sporting winger Geny Catamo reflected on the squad’s emotional response last year when they learned of his decision, revealing how quickly the atmosphere changed as he told Bar Da Liga: “A week before, we were informed Manchester United was interested in our manager.
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“Ruben Amorim only told us that everything was fine and not to worry, we just had to focus on our game in Braga. It was an epic match; losing 2-0 and turning it around to 4-2 in the second half. It was the best football we played all season.
“We were all celebrating in the locker room when he came in and announced he was indeed going to Manchester United. We were sad and cried. Most players cried. I believe I was one of those who cried the most that day.”
United’s squad may not have shared the same sentiment following his dismissal on Monday. Their 1-1 stalemate with Leeds on Sunday proved to be Amorim’s final match in charge and was followed by an extraordinary speech that arguably determined his departure.
“Guys, to stop with that, I noticed that you receive selective information about everything,” Amorim started. “I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United. And that is clear. I know that my name is not Tuchel, it’s not Conte, it’s not Mourinho, but I’m the manager of Manchester United.
“And it’s going to be like this for 18 months, or when the board decides to change. So that was my point, I want to finish with that. I’m not going to quit. I will do my job until the other guy is coming here to replace me. I just want to say that I’m going to be the manager of this team, not just the coach. And I was really clear on that.
“And that is going to finish in 18 months and then everyone is going to move on. That was the deal. That is my job, not to be a coach. If people cannot handle the Gary Neville and the criticism of everything, we need to change the club.
“No, guys, I just want to say that I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach. And every department, the scouting department, the sports director needs to do their job. I will do mine for 18 months and then we move on.”
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Following Amorim’s exit, former United favourite Darren Fletcher took temporary control of the team, with Jonny Evans supporting him in the role.
