Rúben Amorim has revealed how former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola helped him prepare for Old Trafford.
Rúben Amorim has just entered his second year as Manchester United manager. His first, while hopeful at times, hasn’t been good enough. The former Sporting CP boss seems to be under pressure to succeed, with a tough period on the horizon.
After AFC Bournemouth on Monday evening, Amorim looks set to be without Amad, Noussair Mazraoui and Bryan Mbeumo, with all three selected for the upcoming African Cup of Nations.
The trio have been in training as United prepare for yet another Monday night match at Old Trafford, but it is yet to be confirmed if they will take part in the fixture amid ongoing negotiations with all three countries.
The immediate focus will be on overcoming Bournemouth, but Amorim will be concerned with the January transfer window not far away. Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee could both leave the club, as the duo have been unhappy with their gametime at the beginning of this campaign.
Mainoo has struggled for regular minutes since Amorim was appointed, despite showing brilliant form under Erik ten Hag. Amorim appears to have taken a different approach to Pep Guardiola when it comes to youth players, but it appears he has learnt from him in other aspects.
Amorim helped by Klopp and Guardiola
Amorim is amongst the youngest managers in the Premier League, and would always need guidance from someone if he were to have a successful career in England. Today, the United boss has revealed how former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and current Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola helped his transition to life in Old Trafford.
“That is hard,” Amorim told Sky Sports when asked about how he prepared for the move to Manchester. “You have to experience it, especially in the Premier League, and when you come to this league, it’s not just the fact that you as a manager are coming for the best league in the world.
“You come maybe for the best club, with the most attention by everyone, so it’s a big gap. You can prepare and I always felt in Lisbon in the final year that I needed to leave to grow.
“I felt prepared, but of course, when you have the experience, you are learning a lot of things that you didn’t know. I’m more prepared now than I was a year ago.”
Amorim was later asked which managers played a role in his transition to the Premier League: “To listen, I thought Klopp was really funny. Everyone listened to Guardiola, who is a reference to everyone, and Mourinho had his time here, so I tried to listen to everyone and understand everyone. It was not just the top managers, but most of the time, it was the top managers whom I listened to.”
Amorim saved by Klopp
In his interview with Sky Sports, Amorim talks about how he listened to Klopp and Guardiola before his move, helping him prepare for the increased media coverage in England.
“I don’t listen now [laughs]. But that was one way and every press conference of the managers, especially the top managers, I listen to in my car going home, so I try to prepare myself,” said Amorim.
The United manager has often been praised for his charming personality and quality of answers in press conferences.
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Perhaps without his personal charm, Amorim would be facing more pressure for the regular poor performances on the pitch.
United fans have often said that they like him as a person, but they don’t agree with his tactical style. Maybe his personality is buying him time.
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