Ruben Amorim's departure was met by tears from his former players
Ruben Amorim puts his hand on his face
Ruben Amorim's departure resulted in widespread tears(Image: PA)
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Ruben Amorim's announcement of his Sporting CP departure saw the mood of his squad switch from joyous to devastating. The 40-year-old - who was sacked by Manchester United on Monday - departed Old Trafford 14 months after leaving the Portuguese giants for the chance to work in English football.
Amorim's arrival in Manchester was met with positivity given the consistent winning Sporting achieved under his stewardship. Having turned the club into the team to beat in Portugal - a title that had almost exclusively been assigned to Porto or Benfica - his exit was obviously difficult for his squad to take.
At the time of his departure, Sporting were comfortably top of the Primeira Liga and were fresh off a stunning 4-1 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League. Confidence was rightly high in the dressing room and it was after an incredible comeback victory that Amorim informed his players of his decision to take the United job.
Sporting star Geny Catamo recalled the emotional reactions of the team last year upon hearing the news, admitting the mood quickly shifted as he told Bar Da Liga: "A week before, we were informed Manchester United was interested in our manager.
"Ruben Amorim only told us that everything was fine and not to worry, we just had to focus on our game in Braga. It was an epic match; losing 2-0 and turning it around to 4-2 in the second half. It was the best football we played all season.
Sporting Lisbon's Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim is celebrated by his players at the end of the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 4 football match between Sporting Lisbon and Manchester City at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on November 5, 2024. Ruben Amorim was on November 1, 2024, named as the new manager of Manchester United. The 39-year-old Portuguese coach, who won two Primeira Liga titles with Sporting Lisbon, has signed a deal until 2027 and will join the club on November 11.
Ruben Amorim devastated his players when he revealed he was joining United(Image: AFP or licensors)
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"We were all celebrating in the locker room when he came in and announced he was indeed going to Manchester United. We were sad and cried. Most players cried. I believe I was one of those who cried the most that day."
United's players may not have had the same reaction after his sacking on Monday. Their 1-1 draw with Leeds on Sunday turned out to be Amorim's last game in charge and was followed by a spectacular monologue that arguably sealed his fate.
"Guys, to stop with that, I noticed that you receive selective information about everything," Amorim began. "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 Tuchel, it's not Conte, it's not Mourinho, but I'm the manager of Manchester United.
Ruben Amorim puts his arms out
The 40-year-old was sacked as Manchester United boss on Monday(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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"And it's going to be like this for 18 months, or when the board decides to change. So that was my point, I want to finish with that. I'm not going to quit. I will do my job until the other guy is coming here to replace me. I just want to say that I'm going to be the manager of this team, not just the coach. And 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 Neville and the criticism of everything, we need to change the club.
"No, guys, I just want to say that I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach. And every department, the scouting department, the sports director needs to do their job. I will do mine for 18 months and then we move on."
Former United star Darren Fletcher was placed in interim charge following Amorim's departure, with Jonny Evans assisting him.