By William Loughnan, Year 12
Rúben Amorim, the newly appointed head coach of Manchester United, moves into one of the most prestigious yet demanding jobs in football. Renowned for his successes at Sporting CP, tactical astuteness, and mentorship under José Mourinho himself, Amorim’s arrival to Old Trafford is another boost into modern, ambitious management for the club. He brings strategic flexibility and an understanding of the club’s struggles, offering a hopeful path forward for the team after recent struggles through the past years.
Amorim’s coaching career started in Portugal, where he retired as an active player into management. He rose through the ranks of coaches in a short period; the first to be greatly recognized was when he took up the managerial job at Sporting Braga. The skillful tactician and leader steered the club to win the 2020 Taça da Liga-the Portuguese League Cup-that attracted the interests of Sporting CP. He was appointed head coach by Sporting in 2020 and managed to change the team, guiding them to their first Primeira Liga title in 19 years. That historic win underlined his ability to break up the monopoly of the giants while working with considerably limited resources, making us wonder what he can do with a team like united.
Under the command of Amorim, Sporting CP kept on growing. This was due to his highly aggressive, high-pressing style of play combined with a well-disciplined defence. This made the team balanced in every domestic and European competition, attracting the likes of Manchester United. Another reason is that he was committed to the development of young players because he brought young developing players into the first team and polished their talent. His method evidenced the historic philosophy of Manchester United: developing youngsters, which makes him a potential great fit for the club’s values and objectives.
One important influencer in his coaching philosophy is José Mourinho. He considers him as his main inspiration. In 2017, Amorim interned with Mourinho, then the manager of Manchester United, where he learned much about high-level coaching. He was especially impressed by the capabilities of Mourinho to adapt and change team tactics to suit specific opponents. Like many others, the offensive vision adopted by coaches such as Pep Guardiola has inspired Amorim, yet he still has much in common with the pragmatic approach of Mourinho, who balances attacking flair with strategic rigour.
Yet, despite similarities in the adaptability of both, Amorim has also carved a brand for himself with an attacking style of play and quick transitions. Inherited from his former boss Mourinho is his match preparation and the ability to get the best from each player. Recently, Mourinho came out in full support of the transfer of Amorim to Manchester United, claiming he had the skill and temperament necessary to succeed at a club the size of United.
Now at Old Trafford, the job in his hands is to develop a team that has struggled for consistency. He then takes over with a fresh approach and perspective-one moulded through years of hands-on success and a clear vision for tactical discipline. United hope that Amorim might be able to fire the squad, along with improved performances under financial restrictions, into rediscovering their spark that many fans love. The mixture of Mourinho’s ways with his own inventive strategy means that United fans and analysts alike will hope the new man’s arrival leads to a new era marked by success that will transform both their domestic and international standing, to what they once were.
