Once ready to give up, Ruben Amorim now asserts: 'Joining MU was the best decision of my life'

01/11/2025 07:53:00 ceshi

Coach Ruben Amorim celebrates exactly one year in charge of Manchester United today. Before this important milestone, the Portuguese strategist openly admitted there were moments when he doubted whether he could survive a full year at Old Trafford.

Ruben Amorim admits he once doubted himself during his first year at MU

Amorim, who attracted public attention by leaving Sporting Lisbon to take over MU last November, said the turbulent start made him frequently question, "maybe this isn’t meant for me."

At 40 years old, the coach confessed last month that he might have been dismissed if results hadn’t improved. However, a recent run of three consecutive victories has helped him temporarily overcome difficulties before the upcoming away match at Nottingham Forest.

"There were genuinely tough moments," Amorim shared. "Losing too many games is very painful, especially when you’re at MU. The position we held last season, focusing all efforts on the Europa League but still failing to win — that was a big blow.

I went through real suffering and thought maybe I didn’t belong here. But now it’s different. Now I feel and believe this is the best decision of my life. I want to stay here. I trust the players more, and I think they trust me more too. That only happens when the team wins — and you can feel it clearly."

There were moments when Amorim questioned whether he could last a year at Old Trafford.

Although recent results are improving, Amorim insists he has no intention of responding to criticism about his persistence with the 3-4-2-1 formation.

"No, because I know that in just two weeks, people might say the opposite — 'we were right.' So it’s a crazy debate. I think we’re in a better position, but we must be ready for things to change at any time.

I have only one clear idea about how I want to work. Maybe my approach needs more time for people to truly see the results, but I only do what I believe is best for the team and the club."

Although his sideline body language has sometimes been criticized as lacking emotion, Amorim has kept a smile throughout a challenging first year — during which MU lost 19 out of 52 matches.

"That’s my character," he explained. "I know many want to see me with a distressed face, but I choose the opposite. From the start, I said that wouldn’t change who I am. I live like that. I know football has its ups and downs — and right now we are in a good phase.

I always try to balance my life. You may say I smile a lot, but you can also see I stay calm on the bench. I live with emotion and stand alongside the team. If the players perform well and give their best, I will be a happy man."

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