Ruben Amorim has sensationally claimed he joined Manchester United as manager rather than head coach, hinting that he will leave the club at the end of his contract.
Asked in a press conference after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Leeds if he still felt he had the support of the club’s board, Amorim was keen to clarify his role at the club, having recently hinted at behind-the-scenes friction over transfers and tactics.
The former Sporting manager was announced as head coach when he joined Old Trafford in November 2024 on a two-and-a-half-year contract that expires in June 2027, but said he considered himself a manager in an apparent message to executives.
“I am aware that you are receiving selective information about everything,” he said in an explosive conclusion to his Elland Road press conference.
“I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United, that’s clear.
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Highlights of the Premier League match between Leeds and Manchester United
“I know my name is not[Thomas]Tuchel,[Antonio]Conte or[Jose]Mourinho, but I am the manager of Manchester United and will remain so for 18 months or until the board decides to replace me.”
“That was my point. I want to be done with this. I’m not going to quit. I’m going to do my job until someone else comes along to replace me.”
Asked if he felt the club’s promises were not fulfilled, Amorim added: “I just want to say that I am not just going to be a coach, I am going to be the manager of this team. I was very clear about that.”
“It’ll be over in 18 months and then everyone will move on. That was the deal. That’s my job, not to be a coach.”
“If people can’t stand the criticism of Gary Nevils and everything, then we need to change clubs.
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Football Task Force discusses Ruben Amorim’s future at Manchester United
“I just want to say that I came here to be Manchester United manager, not to be a coach.
“Every department has to do their job, including the scouting department and the sporting director. I’ll do that job for 18 months and then take the next step.”
Amorim’s comments followed suggestions on Christmas Eve that he had not received the support he had hoped for in the transfer market to play in his preferred tactical system.
“If we have to play a perfect 3-4-3, we feel it will cost a lot of money and time,” he said. “We’re starting to understand that that’s not going to happen. So maybe we have to adapt.”
Amorim then played in a back four for the first time in Manchester United’s Boxing Day win over Newcastle, but was switched back to a back three against Wolves.
Wednesday, January 7th 6pm
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Then, before Friday’s game against Leeds, he held an uncharacteristically gloomy press conference, with even more puzzling comments standing out.
Sunday’s draw with Leeds gave Manchester United one win in five games, and they resume their Premier League game against Burnley on Sky Sports on Wednesday.
“An obvious change in Amorim’s mood.”
Sky Sports News reporter Danial Khan at Elland Road:
“There was a clear change in Amorim’s mood during Friday’s press conference, and this did not improve this afternoon. He looked very similar, repeatedly making it clear that he is the manager of Manchester United and that is his aim.
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Sky Sports News reporter Danial Khan gives his verdict on Ruben Amorim’s comments
“He mentioned Conte, Tuchel and Mourinho. That could be interpreted as saying that he doesn’t have the full autonomy of a big-name manager, and it could also be interpreted as him saying that the higher-ups at the club are questioning his decisions.”
“But one thing that cannot be disputed is that there has been a clear change in Amorim’s mood over the past week or so. We felt it on Friday in his press conference ahead of this game, and it hasn’t improved at all after the 1-1 draw.”
