English journalists on the Man United pre-season tour had their first sit-down interview with Ruben Amorim in Chicago.
Amorim in Chicago
Amorim in Chicago
Ruben Amorim said it was a "pleasure" to sit down with English journalists at the Chicago Fire's Endeavor Health Performance Center.
This was his first pre-season sit down with us and in a chat with two broadcast journalists revealed he was targeting a 20-year stay as Manchester United manager.
Amorim's first tour with the club has been buoyant: two games and two wins with six goals scored. There is a harmonious mood in the camp and the first word he used in our 18-minute chat was "confident".
In the past, we have had 20-odd minutes with United managers. You do not need as long with Amorim, who was as quotable and charismatic as he was during his first six months in charge.
Here is the full transcript of his sit-down with the written journalists:
How are you feeling about this season, Ruben?
Confident. When I see team training and team playing, my humour - you call it humour - it goes with the team. If I feel that everything is aligned, I feel more excited. If I feel more excited, I see more video, I see more football, I have more ideas. So I'm really confident in this moment.
You look quite animated and excited. At times last season, you didn't look that way. Did you ever have any doubts about what you'd taken on at this club?
It's not the case of not knowing what to do to change the club. I felt last season in some moments I just needed to survive to the end. Because everything I need to do, I will need to do with a new start, with more time, with some changes that I cannot do now. And that is even people around the staff and players. My goal in that moment, three months to the end, was trying to win the Europa League. We struggled a lot, trying to save players, to play 60 minutes. You play against Newcastle, all these clubs, and you have to perform. Or else we will have problems, but you need to take one guy 60 minutes. And you cannot do it in Manchester United. You cannot think like that. I cannot change three guys because I have to try to maintain the team fit to win the Europa League. I had that feeling during the season that I'm so frustrated, I cannot do nothing and I acknowledge that, so I have to wait. And to wait, and being manager of Manchester United, is like going to a fight with my hands like this (puts hands down his side). So that was the frustration.
Did you have conversations with the club at that period? Reassurances from them? Because you're so much surviving, it felt maybe fragile at that point, that you might even think you had to walk away at that point.
No, walk away is more an ego thing. I'm like that. If you saw Sporting: I won the league and we had the second place in the next year, in the third year, when we lost Matheus Nunes, Palhinha, and all these guys, we were fourth in the league, and I put my place in the... So it's a thing that my agent says, you don't need to sign a big contract. Because when things go bad, I put my place, because it's a, I don't know, maybe an ego thing. I'm maybe really romantic about things.
I think people appreciate that emotional side to you, that you've got that connection with the club and with the fans. How do you translate that into making this a successful season? What kind of things are you doing on this pre-season tour?
I think we need to be a little bit more emotional in this team. With the emotion, we become more sacrifice, more pace, more energy. And I think we are improving on that. I think competition is going to help. So if you see the teams like, if Cunha is playing, Mason is on the bench. Bruno and Kobbie are in the same position. Of course, Bruno can do different positions and even Kobbie. So these things are going to help us. And I think it's a perfect year to do that without European competition. So we need to put the standards, and then I think we'll be ready in the next season, in the other season, to cope with less trainings and all the culture is already here, so we can play, play, play.
Amorim celebrates United's enthralling comeback win against Lyon
Amorim celebrates United's enthralling comeback win against Lyon
How important was the cultural change that you've implemented, Ruben? I mean, there's players that have either left the club or aren't here on this tour. When you came into the club, you obviously saw what you'd inherited. You've made changes, the players we talked to on tour said that you made it quite clear. You know, you're either with us or you're not with us. How important was it to make those changes and try and change the culture around this club?
I think it's really important, especially when you are losing. Sometimes you have that feeling that we are losing, let's change a little bit the standards just for them to be with me. I didn't feel that last season and they also saw that. So they understand that when I say one thing, I will do it. That is really important. And I think the change of culture is more a club thing than a manager thing. I cannot do everything by myself. But I think we improved in every department. Medical department, nutrition, we have a new chef, we have new rules. We have rules, and the rules are not to treat the players as babies. They have sons. I treat them as a man, but they have rules now. And that can change the way you train. If you don't train in the right way, I have footage to show you. And I show you in front of everybody. So I'm always on top. I will expect to be in one phase, that I don't need to do anything. Because they will push each other. But in the moment, if you train one time bad, I will show you the image. I will not speak with you, just speak. I will show everything. So that really requires a lot of energy. But what I feel in this year is that I have more people to do that. And we have a leadership group now. It's not just Bruno. It's not just Harry. It's six guys now. They are responsible for the group. There are some things that in the last year I had to deal with that. I said to them in this year, you deal with that. Small issues are with you guys. You are responsible. All these small changes, I think it's helping the group.
Who is in the leadership group?
We have Bruno, we have Licha, we have Harry, we have Diogo, we have Tom and we have Nous. So it's not just the oldest one, Nous is in the group because he's a character that I like. And I try to understand the dynamic of the group. Try to reach every space. They are the guys that are responsible to keep everyone in line.
United have a new leadership group
United have a new leadership group
You made a couple of big signings this summer. I know your focus is only on Manchester United and what you did. But you look at Liverpool who made significant signings, spent a lot of money. They were champions last season. Manchester City have done a similar thing. Is there a concern that you look at them and you think that gap is only just going to increase and whatever you do, it's not going to bring you closer to them?
I think if we were in a different moment, I would be more concerned about that. We have so (many) big issues here that I'm so excited to change all these things that I'm not thinking in that way. If we had maybe a better season, we are looking at less problems. I would look at the opponents and say, I'm just focused on what we need to improve here. I'm really happy with the players that we bring. They proved in the Premier League, so I'm not concerned about the physical aspect. If they are fit to play in the Premier League, if they are struggling. I'm really happy with that. I'm really happy with the character. And I think it's a good thing. I think it personally, I think Jason and also Omar, that all the players that we want to bring to Manchester, any coach will want them. This is not my style. And I can guarantee you, if you bring any manager here, they will say, Bryan, thank you. Matheus Cunha, thank you. And then you have the potential of these kids that are really important for us. And when we have a really, really, really strong base, I think it's going to be the core business to bring these really potential guys to fill in the team because it's really hard to buy players.
And as the target next season, Europe, we spoke to quite a few of the players who said that an immediate return to Europe has to be the priority. Whether that's top four or not.
I know that is a massive gap. where we finish and Europa. But it's Manchester United. We need to return to Europe.
United lost the Europa League final
United lost the Europa League final
You said you're happy with the squad and it's shaping up quite nicely. looking at the games, but obviously in goal and at the other end with the striker, there are areas of interest. Would you still hope or expect to have new personnel in those areas?
To hope is a strong word. We are always looking to improve the team. And we have some characteristics that we would like to have. But again, it depends on the market. It depends on the sales. We'll see. But I'm really happy. And I think even when you talk about Andre, you can see the goalkeepers, even Tom is linear (think he means leaner), he's a different goalkeeper. Altay did really well and Onana is going to be better like the other guys that are getting better this year.
Ruben, the club have had a lot of managers since Ferguson left. There have been a lot of plans and ambitions. And then the team's results get problematic and the ownership lose the nerve and they change the manager. A lot of fans are sick of seeing that and they accept that there might be some hard days to come, but they have to see this through. How confident are you that even if there are challenges this season, that Jim, Omar and Jason realise that the club can't keep doing what it's done before? They have to back you long term.
I always felt that. In some moments in the last season, I was more concerned about me than them. They always show the support. And if you try to remember one team, one big team, massive team, that lost so many games and the manager kept their job, you will not find it. So that shows more than words that they support me. I think it's really important to say to the fans that this is a club thing. Of course the manager is really important, but all this idea of the culture, how we want to buy players, what kind of players we want, is a club thing. In the meetings with Bryan, with Cunha, we said that. Don't go to a club because of the manager. Go because of the idea of the club. And they are here because of the idea of the club.
United have committed to investing £133.5m in Mbeumo and Cunha
United have committed to investing £133.5m in Mbeumo and Cunha
On Jim, he spoke very enthusiastically about you. He said, I like Ruben, he tells me to “f**k off”. Can you just talk about how often you speak? Do you message him a lot? You seem to have a very frank but playful and honest relationship.
We speak on the phone, he sends me messages, he sends me gifs. You call it gifs? Joking. So we have this kind of relationship. I think it's really easy to deal with Jim. Easy in the sense that if you know your stuff, if you know how to explain any decision, you'll be fine with him. If you try to use some bullshit in big words with him, he's going to knock you. So for me it's really easy. I will say whatever I need to say with, of course, a lot of respect, like with everybody, I know that he's the owner of the club, I know my place. But when I need to say something, I will say it naturally. With no bulls**t - I can say that - with no bulls**t, I'm not around the subject, I'm really direct. I think it's something that he likes a lot.
You seem as sure in your own mind about what you wanted to do as you ever did, you've been quite clear since you came to the club. What you wanted to do, that's never changed.
Not because I believe, but I changed so many things during my short career as a manager. When I see a different thing that works, I will use it. I copy so many things about other managers, the way they play, warm-ups. I stole warm-ups. So I'm not so stubborn, but I truly believe that to be a really strong team, we need to have a base. When the base is okay, we will start doing different things. I truly believe in that, it's a process. I'm not the coach, I'm not the coach. And I said that in the interview. I'm not the coach that is going to try, in that case, to survive, to put an idea that is not mine. Since day one, it's the only way I know what to do. Let's build the base, are we going to suffer? Yes.
Amorim had success in Lisbon with Sporting
Amorim had success in Lisbon with Sporting
When you talk about midfielders, lack of pace, is that a fitness thing? Or is that a personnel thing?
Of course there are players that are not going to have a bigger pace. It's something that you cannot change. But if you look at the same players in these games, the pace is different. That is my feeling. I think it's the time to train. That I think is clear. I think even the certainty of the movements can help a player to be faster. If you are thinking, I jump, I don't jump. We train, when they need to jump, they already know. So I start sooner. Sometimes it's one meter. Sometimes it's one second. And that is something that the tactical aspect and the physical aspect are together.
Like Mainoo with the interception for the pass of Bruno (against West Ham)?
Mainoo, with those feet, playing the ball, if he finds the right pace, playing like every time I give the ball, I find a new solution. Every time the guy is running back, I can follow the guy because he can. He's going to be faster.
You said you want to be here for the long term. You said 20 years. You know, we all know, the average lifespan of a manager is two or three years now. With the exception of Pep, Klopp, Fergie and Wenger before. What makes you confident that you can stay here long term?
One of the things is the experience that I had. I know that it's different. But if you look, Sporting was the same thing. They said that in three months I'm out. They said that I had 3% (chance) of winning one title with Sporting. It was the same thing. I know that the pressure is different. But I truly believe in that and I don't like to change club. I like to bond with people and carry on. So, I took, I don't say five years because I was not thinking about leaving during the five years but the last years I was waiting for the right club. I know it sounds crazy. But I chose this club. But I had the feeling. So, I think I'm not going to have that feeling of I need to experience pain. I just want to bond, to be part of it. Until I can, I will stay here.
Amorim and Sir Alex Ferguson
Amorim and Sir Alex Ferguson
Is there a chance we might see Mbeumo in a United shirt tomorrow for the first time?
He's going to play (on Sunday).
How excited are you about seeing him and see how he works with Cunha, Bruno or whoever he plays with?
I'm really like you guys, not like you, but I'm really excited to see him playing. What he can give to our team. But I was really excited to see the team playing the last game. You maybe look at the starting XI and say, nothing to see today. And I was so excited because I know we can do better. So, I'm always excited, especially in this moment.
Just finally, you've made some big decisions. With Alejandro, it seemed like there was a willingness from your side and his side to make it work. And you praised him a lot. You must feel it's a pity that it's not worked out?
I think Garnacho you can understand and you can see, he's talented, he's a really talented boy. And sometimes things don't work out. You cannot explain specifically what it is. But I have the feeling, I think it's clear that Garnacho wants a different thing with a different leadership. And I can understand that. So I think it's not a problem. Sometimes you adapt to one guy, you have the connection. Other times, you want a new challenge. So, we try to make everything okay to all the parts. To the club, to the coach and to the players. So, it's a natural thing in football.
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