Jose Mourinho has given his take on compatriot Ruben Amorim's struggles at Manchester United, as well as the controversy surrounding Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Sport
Kasra Moradi Senior Sports Journalist
12:10, 06 Mar 2025
Jose Mourinho spoke about Ruben Amorim's difficulties(Image: Getty)
Jose Mourinho has commented on Ruben Amorim's character while sharing his thoughts on Manchester United’s struggles.
Mourinho, who currently manages Fenerbahce, is preparing for Thursday night’s Europa League last-16 first leg showdown with Rangers in Turkey. With United also still in the competition, there's a chance Mourinho could face his old club in the semi-finals, if both teams advance to that stage.
'The Special One' was in charge of United from May 2016 to December 2018, lifting the EFL Cup and Europa League trophies before tensions in the dressing room and a poor run of results led to his departure. And despite the nature of his exit, Mourinho harbours no ill feelings towards United, who sacked him under a different club hierarchy.
In the lead up to Fenerbahce’s clash against Rangers, Mourinho was quizzed about the struggles of his fellow Portuguese manager, Amorim, who took over at United in November. He confessed that he hasn't spoken to Amorim, whom he mentored as a young coach, since he took on the role at United, except to exchange Christmas greetings.
But Mourinho admitted that it's been difficult to watch Amorim endure a tough season, with the manager having lost nine out of 24 matches as his squad languishes in the bottom half of the Premier League table. Mourinho said: “He's a good kid. Always very respectful to me. We had a good relationship for a few years. He knows I wish him well."
Mourinho was also asked about the ongoing situation at Old Trafford, where co-owner Ratcliffe has implemented brutal cost-cutting measures. Last year saw 250 United staff members made redundant in an effort to "return the club to profitability", with reports of a further 150-200 job cuts on the horizon.
Amorim has endured a nightmare spell in charge of Manchester United(Image: Getty)
The Fenerbahce manager commented: "To be honest, I don't know much about what's happening. I know Sir Jim Ratcliffe. I'm not saying we are big friends, but we have a good relationship. I know him well.
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“He invited me to his house a couple of times. I see him as a good person and a great businessman. Of course, I feel for some of the people that I know [losing their jobs], but hopefully it goes in the right direction."
The legendary former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan manager also faces the prospect of coming up against two of his other former clubs, Roma, in the quarter-finals, and Tottenham in the final of the Europa League. Yet, Mourinho dismissed any notion of him seeking revenge.
He added: "In my mind, I never feel about revenge. I never have that feeling because when I leave a club, I prefer to remember my good times at the club."