- Ruben Amorim publicly addressed his move to Manchester United on Friday
- The Sporting manager revealed the decision to join felt like it was ‘now or never’
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Ruben Amorim has claimed his decision to become the new boss of Manchester United felt like a ‘now or never’ moment.
The 39-year-old was confirmed as the new head coach of Manchester United on Friday, replacing Erik ten Hag on a two-and-a-half year deal.
Amorim showed no signs of being distracted from the job at hand with Sporting – who he will manage until November 10 – as his players produced an emphatic 5-1 win to make it 10 wins from 10 games in the league this season.
But his post-match press conference was dominated by questions of Manchester United and he admitted that over the course of three days he was left to make what he feels is the biggest decision of his career to date.
‘I was told it was now or never. I had three days to make my mind up,’ he said.
Ruben Amorim has spoken publicly for the first time since agreeing to take over Man United
Manchester United officially confirmed the appointment of Amorim on Friday lunchtime
He took charge of Sporting on Friday night and was given a standing ovation from supporters
‘A decision that would radically change my life. I’ve had other opportunities. The president and [Hugo] Vianna can confirm this. This is not the first or second time I have been requested.
‘After Sporting, I wanted Manchester. There’s a time I have to take a step forward. It was hard. I had to do this.
‘I don’t want to victimise myself. The only one in no-man’s land was me. I didn’t say it before because it had to be agreed between the clubs.’
He continued: ‘There was a club that said if I rejected it now, in six months I wouldn’t get it and in six months I knew I would leave Sporting.
‘I didn’t want to regret not making this decision. I know this was sad for Sporting fans. I go home happier because I have explained.
‘People say it’s about the team. There was another team that wanted me before and they paid 3 times more than Manchester.
‘I gave all I could to Sporting. I love this club, the people, and the staff but I had to make a decision.
‘Shall I stay or go? My choice was to go now because I was told it was now or never and I had to make my choice.’
Amorim defended his timing and claimed it was ‘now or never’ for him to make the move
Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada flew out to Lisbon on Monday, the same day that Ten Hag was sacked, to accelerate a move for Amorim.
But the Sporting boss revealed he changed his mind on more than one occasion about whether to leave mid-season.
‘Several times. I changed my mind several times,’ he said.
‘My concern is not to harm the Sporting team, we’ll see later. I’ll have that concern when I’m at United.’
A wide-ranging press conference saw Amorim confirm that he will be taking members of his coaching staff – including assistants Carlos Fernandes, Adelio Candido and Emanuel Ferro – with him to United.
But he did stress that he would not be plotting to sign any of Sporting’s players in January.
Amorim (middle) confirmed he will bring members of his coaching staff to Manchester United
Lots of attention is being paid to striker Victor Gyokores, who has a €100million (£85m) release clause in his contract. The former Coventry City forward scored four times on Friday night in Sporting’s 5-1 win.
‘Gyökeres costs €100million and it’s very difficult. I’m not going to get any players from Sporting in January,’ he confirmed.
Gyokores himself fronted up to speak to the media after Friday night’s win, reflecting on a far from normal week for the players.
‘Of course it’s not a normal situation, but we won 5-1 and the team reacted very well,’ he said.
‘We are professionals and we have to continue like this. We are sad that he is leaving, he is a great professional, he was fantastic for us, but we have to adapt.
‘It is difficult to talk about the future, but we will certainly do the same job and continue to give our best. We wish him the best. It is very good for him.’
Sporting President Frederico Varandas spoke to the media, too, explaining that the club had been preparing for Amorim to leave at the end of the current season, only for United’s move to bring forward their plans by seven months.
‘Obviously, United’s arrival was not what we wanted,’ Varandas said.
‘The coach’s decision was different, that it was the right time to go. We simply brought forward everything that was prepared by seven months.
‘I am well aware of all the emotion that surrounds this sport, that is why it is unique, and that is why we understand all the reactions when passion is mentioned. In fact, thanks to his ability, our coach has created a very strong relationship with all our fans. When there is passion, there is irrationality. When we are sitting here, we try to be rational.’
Sporting striker Viktor Gyokores admitted there is a sadness in the dressing room over his exit
Sporting President Frederico Varanadas explained how difficult negotiations proved to be
He continued: ‘We recognise Rúben Amorim’s great dedication, hard work, professionalism, and many battles.
‘With all due respect to his career as a player, I am sure that many decades from now, he will be remembered as a coach. And it was Sporting that took a risk on a coach who had only managed eight league games.
‘What will go down in history is that Amorim will always have a Sporting stamp on his life. And Sporting’s history will also forever have a stamp of Amorim, one of the best coaches in our history.’