Almost two months after Ruben Amorim left Manchester United, a member of his coaching staff has now spoken publicly about their time at Old Trafford.
Speaking to Portuguese newspaper A Bola in Angola, assistant coach Adélio Cândido reflected on the spell in England, the internal challenges, the pressure around the club and his long-standing relationship with Amorim.
“The experience is always experience, whether the balance is good or bad, we always leave with learning,” he said.
He praised the environment around the club and the supporters in particular.
“In Manchester I really liked the city and the way the fans live football, more focused on the project than the immediate result.”
However, he also admitted there were frustrations behind the scenes.
“What I liked least was, without a doubt, feeling that our ideas were not applied in their entirety.”
Pressure and criticism in England
Cândido insisted the staff handled the scrutiny calmly, even at a club where pressure rarely drops.
“I think the fact that we are young helped us deal with the pressure. We always had a positive day-to-day at work. With the existing pressure it is normal for people to get more upset than usual in a technical staff, and that was not our case.”
When asked whether the departure came too soon, he avoided a firm conclusion. “Only the future will tell if the exit was bad for our career or not.”
He also dismissed the impact of outside noise.
“Honestly, I do not follow opinions outside the working group. Something always ends up reaching us through social media, but I really do not pay attention to any of that.”
A long-standing bond with Amorim
The interview also offered insight into how the partnership with Amorim began. Cândido explained that their connection goes back to the early days of the manager’s coaching career.
“I started very early in football and Ruben ended up starting his career at Casa Pia, where I was already working as an assistant. From there we left together and have continued until today.”
He described their dynamic in personal terms.
“Ruben is like an older brother to me and with that we have everything characteristic of a relationship between brothers – many discussions and many manifestations of affection.”
For now, he is taking time away from the touchline, but he expects contact when Amorim’s next opportunity arises.
“At the moment I am enjoying free time with my family, without thinking much about the future. But I know that when the phone rings Ruben will speak to me.”
Coaching ambitions and Angola dream
Cândido also spoke about his early decision to pursue coaching.
“I decided very early that I would be a coach and I always had great confidence in my way of working and my ideas. I never stopped to think how long it would take to reach this level. Focused only on the next game and arrived here naturally.”
Looking ahead, he made clear he wants to play a role in developing sport in Angola.
“Clearly, since I was very young my biggest concern has been to be an active part in the development of our country, in all ways that are allowed to me.”
And when asked about becoming national team manager, he did not hide his feelings. “It is something that fills my heart, a dream to fulfil.”
For Manchester United fans, the interview provides rare insight into how Amorim’s inner circle viewed their time at Old Trafford.
While respectful in tone, the admission that their ideas were not fully implemented inevitably adds another layer to the debate around that period.