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Friday 01 November 2024 12:45
Manchester United’s new head coach Ruben Amorim has forged a reputation as one of Europe’s brightest coaches while still only in his 30s, having guided Sporting back to the top of the Portuguese game during an impressive four seasons in Lisbon.
Employing a dynamic, team-oriented system, he was fast tracked to Sporting and achieved great success with the Lisbon giants.
After a playing career spanning Belenenses, Benfica, Braga and Al-Wakrah, he was forced to retire at the age of 32. Nonetheless, he still played four times against United in the Champions League, including twice at Old Trafford, where he’ll now occupy the touchline. Amorim also represented Portugal at two World Cups, making 14 total appearances for his country.
Determined to make his mark in the world of coaching, he started out at lower division Casa Pia and even spent time at Carrington to pick the brains of then-United boss Jose Mourinho, one of his inspirations in the field. His grasp of English was also aided by completing some of his UEFA coaching qualifiers in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Amorim in action at Old Trafford in 2012, when United were 3-2 victors thanks to goals from Javier Hernandes (2) and Jonny Evans.
Amorim switched to Braga and, after replacing Ricardo Sa Pinto at the helm, set about a remarkable transformation of the team’s fortunes. In early 2020, he led them to Taca da Liga success with a 1-0 victory over FC Porto in the final.
The cup triumph obviously enhanced his growing reputation and, in the league, he won eight of nine games.
Sporting were convinced of his qualities after just 13 games and paid the significant release clause to bring him to Lisbon. The faith in Amorim paid off. After nearly two decades being pipped to the post by rivals Benfica and Porto, Amorim guided Sporting to a first Portuguese title in 19 years in 2020/21. His side suffered only one league defeat across the campaign, and that came after the historic title had already been wrapped up.
The Leões finished runners-up the following season and reached the UEFA Champions League last-16. Despite then losing some key players, he managed to oversee a Europa League victory over Arsenal in a penalty shootout in 2023. With a rebuilt side, Amorim secured his second league crown and Sporting’s 20th Primeira Liga title just last season, and with a 10-point margin ahead of second-placed Benfica.
To date, nine wins out of nine and a goal difference of 30-2 has ensured Sporting are favourites to retain the championship. That record only builds on the consistent levels Amorim has achieved in the Portuguese capital.
Since March 2020, when Amorim took charge, Sporting have the highest win percentage (77%) of any team across Europe’s top 10 leagues, as per Opta. Now, however, Amorim is heading to Old Trafford for a new challenge.
Here in Manchester, he’ll link up with Manuel Ugarte, one of many young talents across the European game who he helped to develop in Lisbon. Others include Matheus Nunes, now at Manchester City, Nuno Mendes, of PSG, and Joao Palhinha, who left Fulham for Bayern Munich last summer.
With a group of high-potential young players at United, fans can rightly be excited at what lies ahead for them under Amorim’s tutelage.
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Friday 01 November 2024 12:45
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