A former team-mate of Ruben Amorim never expected him to move into coaching and to reach the top as he was such a 'clown' in the changing rooms during their time together at Benfica
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Ruben Amorim speaks to the media
Ruben Amorim used to be a clown in the changing room(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
A former team-mate of Ruben Amorim was left in disbelief when the Manchester United boss moved into coaching following his playing career. Roderick Miranda, who played with the ex-Sporting CP head coach at Benfica, does not doubt his countryman's abilities but was shocked given Amorim's status as the dressing room clown.
Amorim moved into management with third division side Casa Pia, and after beginning to find some success, stepped down after facing a suspended ban for giving instructions in a match without the required coaching licence. Still just 34, Amorim was appointed as Braga reserves boss in September 2019 before taking charge of the first team the following January.
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Little over a year later, he had joined Sporting and went on to win two league titles with the club ahead of earning his move to Manchester United. Things have not hit the ground running quite as quickly at Old Trafford for the former midfielder, with the Red Devils still sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League.
Former Wolves defender Miranda accepted Amorim's intelligence and understanding probably positioned him well for a role. But initially struggled to see his former team-mate as a serious figure.
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"I never thought he would become a coach!" Miranda told Flashscore. "Not because of his football skills or his intelligence, but because he was the changing room clown.
"He had a really fun personality and was always doing something to make people laugh. When I heard he started as a coach I was a little bit surprised and wondered how the guy I played with could become so serious!
"But he was a very intelligent player. He could play in many different positions, so maybe that’s why he's a brilliant coach, because he has such a great understanding of the game."
Roderick Miranda was part of a Portuguese contingent who enjoyed success with Wolves
Roderick Miranda was part of a Portuguese contingent who enjoyed success with Wolves
Miranda, who now captains Melbourne Victory, has also experienced another Premier League boss. The 33-year-old played under Nuno Espirito Santo while at Wolves and has been left unsurprised by his season with Nottingham Forest.
The Midlands side sit third in the top-flight and can earn a place in the FA Cup semi-final with victory over Brighton this weekend. Santo's credentials were obvious from the outset according to Miranda.
"I’m not really surprised about that because I always knew he was really good," he said. "If he finds the right players and the right atmosphere, he’s a coach who can produce this kind of stuff.
"At Wolves we had a couple of seasons where I think we finished sixth or seventh ( seventh in both 2018/19 and 2019/20 ) and got a Europa League spot, so he’s already shown what he can do. It’s therefore not really a big surprise for me. Maybe it is for other people, especially a club like Nottingham that hasn’t been a top club in the past, but not for me."
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