Ruben Amorim came out fighting as he laid down the law to Manchester United’s board, insisting he is the manager of the football club, not just the head coach.
In a stunning end to the Portuguese’s post-match press conference, Amorim was asked about his sullen demeanour on Friday when it emerged that there is growing tensions behind the scenes.
Amorim was asked if he still feels the backing following this 1-1 draw away to Leeds United and his answer was definitive in how he sees his role at the club.
‘I came here to be the manager of Manchester United… not to be the coach of Manchester United. That is clear,’ Amorim, who was officially unveiled as United’s head coach, said.
‘I know my name is not [Thomas] Tuchel, it’s not [Antonio] Conte, it’s not [Jose] Mourinho, but I am the manager of Manchester United and it’s going to be like this for 18 months or when the board decide to change.
‘That was my point [on Friday] and I want to finish with that. I’m not going to quit. I will do my job until other guy is coming here to replace me.’
Amorim hinted at discontent a few days ago when he suggested there is no dialogue ongoing with the club’s hierarchy about adding to the squad in January.
As Daily Mail Sport detailed in recent days, there has also been pressure to alter his 3-4-2-1 system.
But a steely Amorim made it plain here that he will do things his way for as long as he’s at the club.
‘I just want to say that I am going to be the MANAGER of this team, not just the coach and I was really clear on that,’ he added.
‘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 Nevilles, the criticism, everything, we need to change the club. I just want to say that.
‘I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach.
‘In every department, the scouting department, the sporting director needs to do his job, and I will do mine for 18 months and then we move on.’
Amorim had clearly taken care with what he was going to say and his comment regarding 18 months is in line with the contract he signed in November 2024, which runs until 2027.