Manchester United’s new manager Ruben Amorim is not one for the flashy lifestyle often associated with footballers. The Portuguese boss, who will officially take over at Old Trafford later this month, prefers a more modest mode of transport and it says a lot about him.
Petter Skogsletten and Geoff Labine, who studied alongside Amorim at the University of Lisbon, have shed light on his humble nature. Skogsletten said: “For him, it doesn’t matter if you’ve been playing at this level, he’s at the same level as you. He opened up and he was himself with you.”
Labine added that Amorim shies away from extravagant possessions, adding: “I would joke with Ruben because he’s driving the most unassuming Smart car, those little cube cars.
“I’m looking for the Maserati or the Bugatti or something. He goes: ‘No Geoff, you don’t understand. I’m different. I’m not like that.'”
Amorim’s sparkling humility is under the spotlight once again as he gears up to take over the hot seat at Manchester United. Miguel Godinho, boss of Ginasio Clube de Corroios —Amorim’s first club when he joined at 15 — opened up about the kind of lad he was, reports the Mirror.
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He said: “As a boy here he was a very good player. He was very humble and very respectful and always really calm and tranquil. He was always a good friend to his friends and very loyal. Exactly what we see now. He hasn’t changed.”
On top of that, Amorim has shown his class by standing in solidarity with Sporting Lisbon supporters during his unexpected mid-season departure, expressing: “In the next home game, whether we win or lose by 15-0, I’ll be there to see what the fans want to give me. I understand their anger, but we move on and time heals everything. It was the best period of my life.”
The new gaffer has inked a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Red Devils and will helm his first match for United against Ipswich come November 24.