Ruben Amorim said the last seven days have been “the worst and best week of my life”, after the Sporting Lisbon coach was confirmed as Erik ten Hag’s successor at Manchester United.
The 39-year-old, who won two Portuguese Premier League titles with Sporting, spoke of the “difficult” and “emotional” process, but is excited to soon be in charge of “one of the best clubs in the world”. world”.
“Very difficult,” Amorim told TNT Sports. “The worst and best week of my life. I have no other way to explain it [it]. Very difficult because I am leaving a very good place, but I am going to one of the best clubs in the world. “So it was very difficult, but that’s how it is.”
He added: “I’m emotional but not in this part. I know because I was a player and I know that in our lives we have to leave, leave and change our environment a lot.”
“But I am very emotional in my relationship with the players and the staff. So I have a connection with them. This part will be difficult, but the other part – the last match, everyone is looking at me. In the end, this part is not special for me.
Amorim: It was very difficult but I am going to one of the best clubs in the world
“For me, it’s the relationship with the players, and in that aspect I’m very emotional. The part that’s about leaving and going somewhere else is the life of the player and the coach.”
Amorim is under no illusions about how challenging life in the Premier League will soon be, and the Sporting boss said he would venture into a “different world” with United.
But he is keen to test himself against the “best managers” in the Premier League, saying the extra challenge is what he needs at this stage of his managerial career.
“I need that as a coach” – Amorim relishes the challenge of a ‘different world’ in the Premier League
When asked if he was looking forward to facing world-class coaches like City’s Pep Guardiola more often, Amorim replied: “It’s difficult to say that. It’s very difficult. In England, you have the best coaches, the best teams.”
“It will be a different world, because in Portugal you have the three top teams, and then there are difficult matches for several weeks, but you control the matches.
“It’s a different world, I need that as a coach now. To say I look for a challenge like this every week, maybe not.”
Sporting’s backroom squad has been split between Manchester loyalties, with Amorim heading to Old Trafford next week while director of football Hugo Viana joins City at the end of the 2024/25 season.
“We will be friends until the end, but I have my way,” he said. “I chose Manchester United.
“Manchester United is my club, and Manchester City is his club. So it will be fun. I hope I can help Manchester United improve and they will do the same.”
“It is difficult to improve Manchester City at the moment, but I chose my path.”
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Pep is “the best coach in the world”
Sporting have gone from strength to strength under the guidance of their new United boss, and have an unbeaten start to the 2024/25 Champions League season – but face their toughest tests as Amorim faces their soon-to-be counterpart in Manchester. In the bunker.
But the Sporting coach does not attach any additional meaning to the European confrontation, with his main focus on the challenge of facing the “best coach in the world” Guardiola.
“For me, it’s another game as coach of Sporting,” he said. “I will be judged as the Lisbon coach. It’s a huge game for me, he’s the best coach in the world. I know it’s hard for Manchester United fans and I think they’re the best team in the world.”
He added, “So it will be a difficult match. We are close to qualifying for the playoffs, so this match is very important. It is my last match in Alvalade, so that is my focus. Sporting goals, my last match in Alvalade.” .
“I know that everyone in England is looking and taking ideas for this game. For me, as a Sporting coach, this is my last game here, so that is my focus.”
“The best coach in the world” – Amorim talks about the “huge” challenge facing Manchester City under Guardiola
Amorim is aware that his latest Champions League encounter with Sporting will attract a lot of English attention, but he stressed that he is “more concerned” about winning than trying to “show something to the English fans and the media.”
“I’m more concerned about my players feeling comfortable playing football and winning the game rather than showing something to the English fans and the English media,” he said.
“My focus is on my players, we have the talent to play well but they have to feel comfortable. That is my focus.
“I understand that there will be a lot of people who will judge my team and my work in just one match. I know that but I don’t think about that. Of course I want a team that can control the ball, and play scoreless. Fear but we will see tomorrow.
“I think now is better because they are last week [Sporting players] I didn’t know if I was here to play this game, and now they feel like I’m staying for this game and they’re more comfortable.
“It’s been tough, I feel it in the dressing room, I feel it on the pitch. So that part will be emotional but I hope they enjoy the game, play very well and hopefully they win the game.” “
Amorim declares that “Manchester United is my club” and aims to improve the English giants
Sporting occupies eighth place in the 36-team Champions League table, equaling seven points for City from their first three matches in the competition.
The incoming United boss has also led the Primeira Liga side to 14 wins from their last 15 matches.
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