Sixteenth in the Premier League with 18 defeats and a -12 goal difference would usually spell the end for a Man United manager.
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Amorim at his pre-match press conference
Amorim at his pre-match press conference
Ruben Amorim admits he is grateful that he does not have to worry about his future as Manchester United manager ahead of the Europa League final.
United are 16th in the Premier League, having lost 18 games, and have a -12 goal difference with one game remaining. However, they can salvage their season in the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night in Bilbao.
Spurs are 17th in the league and this is widely expected to be coach Ange Postecoglou's final week in charge after two seasons at the club. Amorim is set to remain in charge at United for the start of next season as the club prepares for another squad overhaul in the summer.
United appointed Amorim in November and they have won six out of his 26 league games in charge. The Europa League campaign has safeguarded the Portuguese's position but he is certain to be under pressure to oversee clear improvement at the start of next season.
When it was suggested to Amorim that he was not in a similar situation to Postecoglou, United captain Bruno Fernandes, sitting to his right, quipped, "He is."
"He wants my job," Amorim laughed. "He will be a very, very good coach but he has to work on his mindset because he doesn’t know how to deal with people.
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"I don’t know, I know in this kind of club, also Tottenham, especially Manchester United it’s strange because you have some coaches here who lose some games and they are sacked. It’s hard to explain.
"I think people see what we are trying to do, I think people see that sometimes I’m thinking more in the club than myself, people understand, especially the board understands, we have a lot of issues that in the context is really hard.
"So I don’t know how to explain, I don’t know how to explain how the fans like me in this moment, so it’s hard to explain. I will try to prove myself to the fans, to the board, but I don’t have an explanation for you.
"But again, it’s a good thing for me. I never worry about that. That is a part of being a coach. And the most important thing [is] I know what I am doing. I explain everything before when we start, I explain about the storm, I explain all the problems that we have to the board, so I was so clear.
Amorim was in a relaxed mood in San Mames
Amorim was in a relaxed mood in San Mames
"I explained I would not change my idea, they cannot say one thing that I said to get the job and then I changed my mind, was the opposite. I think the board can understand that, the fans can understand that, but we will reach a moment that we have to win, no matter what. So I don’t have an explanation for that.
"A new future for me I think is not the case but is going to help us to finish the season. People will look at our team in a different way because winning a European title is really important.
"But again, nothing is going to change our season. Players know, everybody knows the stuff, the fans know. But winning a European title can help us to have that feeling that can help us to build a future."
Amorim reiterated that winning the Europa League would not mask United's issues. The club is expected to complete deals for Wolves playmaker Matheus Cunha and Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap but any other incomings are likely to be dependent on sales.
United want to gut a squad that is certain to record their worst top flight finish since the team was relegated in 1974 but several players are on long contracts and high salaries.
"I think it’s hard to speak about that in this moment because we need to be excited and confident," Amorim added, "but we already know the problems.
"There are a lot of things we need to change in our club, the way we do everything during the week in Carrington, the recruitment, the academy I think we need to improve. It’s hard to point at one thing. And that will not be solved by winning a cup.
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"For me, we have bigger things to deal with to put this club back to the top but tomorrow will be important for us and for our fans because winning can help us to have that strength to do every job we have to do.
"We have a lot to do in our club, not just winning, but tomorrow will be massive for us and our fans."