New Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has explained what his role will be in player recruitment at Manchester United.
Previous manager Erik ten Hag was given the power of veto over transfers and in truth, for the large part of his tenure, he was allowed to select many players himself.
But with Ineos’ footballing structure now in place, led by Dan Ashworth as director of football and Jason Wilcox as technical director, Amorim’s appointment was made under the new job title of head coach, suggesting a reduced role in the contractual aspects of the club.
Asked at a recent press conference what powers he would have, Amorim was clear.
“I think it has to be all together because, if you are a coach that comes in here and already chose the players, it could be wrong because this is a football club that will be here for a long time and you, as a coach, you don’t know that.
“So you have to work – everybody together. And, for that, we have to improve the process of recruitment. The data, the profile of the players that we want. But I have to have to have a strong position on that, because I am the coach and I know how we want to play.
“I think it is all together but the final word, as you can say, should be with the manager. Not because it is your right but because it is your responsibility. Because in the end they will ask you about the results and, in the end, that comes through to me.
“I think that, all together, it’s to improve the process of recruitment and I have to understand the league – that is important – and when everything is aligned, everything is on the same page, we can buy and sell players.”
Asked specifically if it had been agreed he would have the final say on any transfer, he replied:
“I am not saying this is the final, final. But I have a great responsibility when we choose players because this is something that should be done in this way. I am the manager, the head coach, so I have to choose the players.”
It has already been reported that the Portuguese will have a limited budget to work from in upcoming transfer windows as the club navigates Profit and Sustainability Rules.
On the other hand, there will be clear areas where strengthening is necessary, especially if players coming toward the end of their contracts such as Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen are not renewed. Centre forward and left wing back are also priorities moving forward.
Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
