Rúben Amorim has made significant changes behind the scenes at Manchester United following his appointment as head coach during the international break, after Erik ten Hag’s sacking last month. Amorim, 39, brought a fresh approach to United’s coaching staff, a major departure from Ten Hag’s methods.
One of the key changes Amorim has implemented is the appointment of specialized coaches for each department—defenders, midfielders, and forwards. This contrasts with Ten Hag’s approach, which involved a more traditional method of a first-team coach overseeing the entire squad during training. Amorim’s method is being described as a “modern way of coaching,” allowing for more tailored coaching for each position, which is hoped to help the players adapt to his preferred 3-4-3 formation and tactical style.
Amorim brought several of his trusted staff members with him from Sporting CP, including Carlos Fernandes, Jorge Vital, Adelio Candido, Emanuel Ferro, and Paulo Barreira, while retaining first-team coaches Darren Fletcher and Andreas Georgson, along with assistant first-team goalkeeper coach Craig Mawson. Amorim has emphasized that his coaching staff could be even more crucial than himself in helping the team adjust to this new tactical setup.
In his first few games, Amorim’s tenure has not been without challenges. United drew 1-1 with Ipswich Town in his first match and narrowly defeated Bodo/Glimt 3-2 in the Europa League. He has called for patience as his squad adapts to his methods, recognizing that the changes are significant and will take time to fully implement. Amorim acknowledged the frustration of fans but reassured them that the team is working hard to incorporate his philosophy despite the difficult schedule. He believes that although it will be a process, the ultimate goal remains to win games and improve over time.