As Ruben Amorim prepares to take the reins at Manchester United, the 39-year-old faces a significant challenge—not only to restore the club’s former glory but also to make tough decisions about who will be part of his inner circle. One of those difficult choices was whether to retain Ruud van Nistelrooy in his coaching staff after the Dutchman stepped in as interim manager following Erik ten Hag’s sacking. In the end, Amorim decided that Van Nistelrooy would not continue in his role.
Van Nistelrooy, who had been brought in as part of the temporary solution after Ten Hag’s departure, revitalized the squad during his brief spell in charge. Under his stewardship, Manchester United secured three wins from their last four games, providing a glimmer of hope in an otherwise underwhelming start to the season. However, despite his success in restoring some positivity to the team, it became clear that Van Nistelrooy’s future at the club was uncertain when Amorim took over.
The Decision to Move On
According to reports from The Athletic, Amorim did not meet Van Nistelrooy in person before deciding to exclude him from his staff. In what can be seen as a pragmatic, albeit tough, move, Amorim chose to bring in his team to help him shape the future of Manchester United. The club’s hierarchy left the decision about Van Nistelrooy’s future entirely in Amorim’s hands, avoiding any sentimentality and focusing on what would best serve the club in the long term.
Despite the positive results under Van Nistelrooy’s leadership, it always seemed “unlikely” that he would remain part of Amorim’s coaching setup. The timing of their arrival at United’s Carrington training ground highlighted the logistical obstacles to any direct conversations between the two. Van Nistelrooy was seen shaking hands with senior officials after the team’s 3-0 victory over Leicester City, and by the time Amorim arrived just a few hours later, it was clear that discussions between the two had not taken place.
For Amorim, this was not just a managerial decision but a statement about his vision for the club. He made it clear that, while he appreciated Van Nistelrooy’s efforts, he was eager to implement his ideas and set a new direction for United, starting with his choice of coaching staff.
A New Chapter Begins
With his new coaching team—Carlos Fernandes, Adelio Candido, Paulo Barreira, Emanuel Ferro, and Jorge Vital—by his side, Amorim now embarks on a fresh chapter at Old Trafford. His arrival marks the beginning of what could be a new era for Manchester United, as the club looks to recover from a challenging period. Amorim’s management of Sporting Lisbon brought impressive results, but the challenge at United will be much greater, with the pressure of competing at the highest level in both domestic and international competitions.
Amorim is well aware of the scale of the task at hand. Speaking about his new role, he acknowledged the difficulty of the challenge, saying, “I feel ready for the new challenge. I’m not naive; I know it’s going to be very different—very difficult. I’m not under any illusions. But it’s what it has to be.”*Amorim’s calm and focused demeanour suggests that he is not intimidated by the pressure. He understands the expectations at United but is ready to put his stamp on the club and build something new.
Moving Forward with Confidence
The road ahead will undoubtedly be challenging for Amorim, but he remains confident in his ability to handle the pressure. The challenge of managing a club with such a rich history and high expectations is significant, but Amorim is at peace with his decision to step into this role. He recognizes that his time at Sporting Lisbon has prepared him for what lies ahead. *“I’m at peace now; I can focus on my new job, and I’m looking forward to starting. I know it will be difficult to reproduce what I have here anywhere else, but there are other places with different exposure and pressure,” Amorim stated.
Manchester United fans are hopeful that Amorim’s arrival can spark the kind of resurgence the club desperately needs. The sacking of Erik ten Hag and the tumultuous start to the season have left the club in a precarious position, but with a fresh managerial approach and a renewed sense of purpose, Amorim will look to lead United back to the top of English football.
The coming weeks will be pivotal in shaping the trajectory of Amorim’s tenure at Old Trafford, starting with his first match in charge against Ipswich Town on November 24. The road ahead may be difficult, but Amorim’s determination and clarity of vision offer a ray of hope for Manchester United’s future.
