Ruben Amorim received text warning about Man Utd from Jose Mourinho before sack

Ruben Amorim received a message from Jose Mourinho during his time as Manchester United boss

Jose Mourinho outlined the challenge facing former Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim when he accepted the position at Old Trafford, which he was unable to overcome. Amorim was named head coach in November 2024 but was dismissed after just over a year at the helm.

The 41-year-old was considered among the brightest coaching talents in European football following his achievements at Sporting CP. During his reign lasting just shy of four years, Amorim claimed five trophies, including two Primeira Liga titles.

While there was hope surrounding his appointment, Amorim found it difficult to quickly deliver results. United progressed to the Europa League final last season but languished in 15th place in the Premier League after collecting a point per match during the first phase of Amorim’s reign.

There were signs of progress before his dismissal this campaign, yet it remained considerably short of the club’s targets. The pressure at United ought to have been expected by Amorim, as former boss Jose Mourinho had contacted his countryman about the demanding role before his first game in charge.

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Amorim met Mourinho during a coaching internship with the then-United manager in 2018. Six years on, at his inaugural press conference with the club, Amorim revealed what Mourinho had told him to expect as United boss.

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“He sent me a message and told me that this is a lovely club, a big club, with lovely people – and that is correct,” Amorim stated. “It still is. But a lot of things change and we are in a different building now; we are building a new one and I am a different guy. I was learning at the time.

“I hope to now teach something here too, to my players. But the club is still big and is still the best club in England and we want to win again, that is all.”

While Mourinho conveyed the scale of the role, Amorim’s comments about the changes at United also indicated the club was in a state of flux. He was given time following an underwhelming first campaign in charge but the Portuguese coach was eventually sacked after his team’s stalemate with Leeds in January.

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Mourinho had previously lauded Amorim when the then-Sporting manager was initially linked with the position at Old Trafford. The 63-year-old, who is now in charge of Benfica, felt that Amorim was set for success.

“I like him as a coach. I think he has the conditions to be able to coach in any league and he has the conditions to be able to coach in any club,” Mourinho said. “But he’s in a good league and he’s in a big club.

“The decision is his and it will be up to the clubs that want him or not, to convince him with more or less arguments. What is clear from my side is that I like the person and I like the coach.”

It remains to be seen where Amorim will land next after leaving United. His predecessor Ten Hag was dismissed as Bayer Leverkusen manager in September and is slated to take on the role of technical director at FC Twente next season.

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