The rise of Amorim: 'This is a special thing why Ruben takes Manchester United. He’s ready for this'

Before Portuguese’s first Manchester United game, the people who know him well explain how he got this far.

Sporting Lisbon's Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim yells to players during the Portuguese League football match between SC Braga and Sporting CP at the Municipal stadium of Braga on November 10, 2024. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images)

The road from the Portuguese third tier to Portman Road is a unique journey and one that will take Rúben Amorim from relative obscurity to one of the most-scrutinised coaching roles in the world. Amorim felt forced to quit his first coaching job at Casa Pia after being sanctioned for not possessing the necessary coaching qualifications less than six years ago, but has rapidly risen to become one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe.

The Estádio Pina Manique is on the outskirts of Lisbon, Amorim’s home town and where he has spent most of his playing and managerial career. The venue holds about 2,500 spectators, a long way from the 30,000 or so expected to be in attendance for Amorim’s first match as Manchester United manager at Ipswich on Sunday.