After Ruben Amorim was sacked by Manchester United, the club went from strength to strength on the pitch. Under Michael Carrick, who took charge in January, no club in the league picked up more points than United.
Amorim had repeatedly talked about the need for United fans to “suffer” and this turned out to be the case during his stint at the club. Finishing 15th and losing a European final to Tottenham Hotspur is as bad as it got at Old Trafford for decades.
When Amorim departed he didn’t make any statement thanking the fans for the support during the woeful performances we’d endured.
Now having been appointed manager of AC Milan, he has apologised for that.
> The only thing I can say is that I learn a lot and I did some mistakes. I didn’t have opportunity – and I am sorry for that – to say something to the Manchester United fans at the moment. I am really proud to have been their coach for a year.
Amorim spoke of his happiness to be back in football management and claims he’s even hungrier for success now.
> It’s an honour to be here. I’m so happy. I can feel that here people feel the club. I love Milanello, I think the place has history, it’s quiet. People say that it is old. I love that kind of old, everything is there. I love the staff. I feel at home.
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> I follow Milan since I’m young, so it’s personal. It’s hard to take this kind of challenge. The belief that I had at Sporting, is the same belief I have now…with a little bit more hunger.
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> Maybe because of the last adventure. I’m really hungry for success. I believe in myself and especially I believe in the club. I know it’s a tough league, I know that you need to know Italian football really well, I think I learn fast and I will try to do that.
Amorim had anticipated taking on a smaller challenge in his next role but reckons the job ahead of him at Milan is even more challenging than at United.
> I’m really very happy to be here, it’s an honour to be the coach of Milan. Why did I choose Milan? If you read an old interview of mine you will understand it, for me a special club. It’s a very big challenge that I accepted even if after the last one I told myself to accept a smaller one. Perhaps it is a greater challenge than the last. I’m proud to be here, we all are, me and my staff.