Ruben Amorim says he wanted to take the Manchester United job at the end of the season, but accepted a mid-season appointment after being told “now or never”.
Amorim, 39, was confirmed as the new head coach of Manchester United on Friday and will complete his move to Old Trafford from Lisbon club Sporting on November 11.
Speaking after Sporting’s first match following that announcement – a 5–1 league win that maintained their perfect start after 10 games – Amorim revealed that his only request following United’s approach was to look at the current campaign, regarding He had already informed the club president. his last.
But the Portuguese coach was told that would not be possible as the Premier League club demanded an immediate replacement for Eric ten Hag, who was sacked on Monday.
“The season started, we started very well, and then Manchester United came, they pay above the compensation provision and the chairman protects the interests of the club,” Amorim explained.
“I never had any discussions with the president. For three days I said I wanted to stay until the end of the season, but then I was told that was not possible.
“It’s now or never, or Manchester will go for another option. So, I had three days to make up my mind, to make a decision that would fundamentally change my life.”
Amorim, who has agreed a contract until June 2027, is the sixth permanent manager appointed by United after Sir Alex Ferguson’s glorious 26-year reign ended with his retirement in 2013.
He has established a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising managers, having led Sporting to two league titles – including the club’s first in 19 years – but he said he was only looking for a new manager as his next step. Manchester United want.
“I have other opportunities – the president and (director of football) Hugo Viana can confirm that. It’s not the first or second time that another team has requested me and I don’t want another team,” Amorim said. ,
“After Sporting I wanted that, Manchester, and I want that context because that context allows me to do things my own way and the club believes in me that way.
“There comes a time when I have to take a step forward in my career. That’s what happened. It was harder for me than any sporting fan, believe me, but I had to do it.”
He added: “Now I go home happier because I’ve explained. People say ‘it’s about the money’, but there was another team who wanted to hire me first and they paid three times the amount from Manchester. Overpaid.
“It was the best phase of my life. Everyone at Sporting knows that. I understand the disappointment of the fans but today is not a farewell. We still have two games against Manchester City (in the Champions League) and Braga (in the league). “There are important games) to maintain the lead.”
United, the 20-time English champions, lie 14th after nine Premier League games this season, with Ruud van Nistelrooy set to oversee the next three fixtures – two in the league and one in the Europa League – ahead of Amorim’s arrival As interim boss.
Van Nistelrooy’s future at the club remains unclear and Amorim expressed his desire to take his current staff with him to Old Trafford, having worked with the same coaches since starting his first job at Portuguese club Casa Pia in 2018. of.
Amorim said, “I will take my staff with me. It was always one of my conditions. I have brought them with me since Casa Pia.”
After watching in-form Sweden forward Victor Gyckeres score four goals on Friday, he also insisted he would not return to Sporting to buy players in the January transfer window.
“Gyocres cost 100 million and it is very difficult. I am not going to take any Sporting players in January,” Amorim said.