2 min read
Football Insider

Ruben Amorim's Message to Man Utd Board: Manager, Not Just Coach!

Ruben Amorim sends a pointed message to Manchester United's board after the latest draw with Leeds United. The Portuguese manager expresses his desire to have more control and support from the club, hinting at a possible departure if his needs are not met. Read on for a closer look at the situation.

Ruben Amorim's Message to Man Utd Board: Manager, Not Just Coach!

Ruben Amorim says he came to be the "manager and not the coach" of Manchester United in a pointed message to the club's board. The Portuguese turned his ire towards the Red Devils' hierarchy after watching his side's 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Sunday. In a stunning outburst, the 40-year-old hinted his days at Old Trafford may be numbered if he doesn't get the backing he feels he needs.United rose to fifth in the Premier League but were unable to beat lowly Leeds at Elland Road. Incidentally, over the Christmas period, Amorim made a cryptic comment about the club's January transfer plans. "I have the feeling if we have to play a perfect 3-4-3, we need to spend a lot of money and we need time," he said. "I'm starting to understand that is not going to happen. So, maybe I have to adapt." And after the Leeds result, the former Sporting CP boss did not pull his punches regarding the direction of the club, suggesting he wants more control than he currently has and that he will leave after his contract expires in 2027.When asked if he still has the board's backing, he replied: "To start with that, I noticed that you received selective information about everything. I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United. And that is clear. I know that my name is not [Thomas] Tuchel, it’s not [Antonio] Conte, it’s not [Jose] Mourinho but I’m the manager of Manchester United. And it’s going to be like this for 18 months or when the board decides to change. That was my point. I want to finish with that. I’m not going to quit. I will do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me."When Amorim took over at United in November 2024, it felt like the Premier League giants were entering a new, exciting dawn after a general air of malaise at the club for years. Although the Red Devils are in with a shout of qualifying for next season's Champions League, it seems Amorim is losing patience with his superiors. The Manchester outfit did spend more than £200 million on transfers last summer but with captain Bruno Fernandes out injured, along with the likes of Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and more, it appears Amorim wants to bring in more signings this month. He added, "I just want to say that I’m going to be the manager of this team, not just the coach. I was really clear on that and that is going to finish in 18 months and then everyone is going to move on. That was the deal. That is my job. Not to be a coach. If people cannot handle the Gary Nevilles and the criticisms of everything, we need to change the club. I just want to say I came here to be the manager, not to be the coach. In every department - the scouting department, the sporting director needs to do their job, I will do mine for 18 months and then we move on."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!United enjoyed 54.8 per cent possession, 15 shots to Leeds' 10, and an expected goals tally of 1.46 vs 0.92. As a result, Amorim felt the visitors were maybe worthy of all three points against Daniel Farke's side.He told TNT Sports, "I think we played well. I think we had more control in this game than we showed against Wolves. That is important because it shows how you can prepare for this week with the mistakes that we learned from the last game. We controlled Leeds, on the set pieces, the second balls, they are really quick up front. We controlled it well. We had our opportunities to win the game. We are losing games on the details - the Leeds goal, we are controlling the game and then one kick of the ball in transition but we managed to get back into the game. Last year it would be completely different. This year we are more in control of the games than we were last year but we are frustrated not to win."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingAmorim was also quizzed about what United fans can expect in the January transfer window, with Africa Cup of Nations trio Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo, and Noussair Mazraoui set to return in the coming weeks. The Portuguese coach said, "United is one of the best clubs in the world. If you are here and focusing on a different club then something is wrong with you. Just focus on the game and prepare with the players that we have. We have more too, I expect more minutes for Fernandes and Mount, so we have more players that can help us."Next up for United is a trip to relegation-threatened Burnley on Wednesday in the Premier League.

1

The Managerial vs. Coaching Role

Ruben Amorim has made it clear that he sees himself as the manager of Manchester United, not just the coach. His recent comments suggest a desire for more authority and involvement in the club's decision-making processes. This distinction highlights the importance of support and trust between a manager and the board.

2

Transfer Plans and Expectations

Amorim's comments about the club's transfer plans indicate a perceived need for additional signings to strengthen the team. Despite significant investment in the previous summer, injuries to key players have highlighted areas that require reinforcement. The upcoming January transfer window could be crucial in addressing these issues.

3

Performance and Frustrations

While United's performance against Leeds showed moments of control and promise, the team's inability to secure all three points reflects ongoing frustrations for Amorim. The manager acknowledges the team's progress in certain aspects but acknowledges the importance of addressing details that can make a difference in tight matches.

4

Looking Ahead

As United prepares to face Burnley, Amorim's message to the board sets the tone for potential developments in the coming weeks. The manager's determination to fulfill his role until the end of his contract while emphasizing the need for a collaborative effort across all departments signals a period of reflection and action for the club.

Published on Jan 4, 2026