Ruben Filipe Marques Amorim (European Portuguese pronunciation: born January 27, 1985) is a Portuguese professional football manager and former player who is the head coach of Premier League club Manchester United.
As a footballer, Amorim played as a midfielder. He spent most of his professional career with Belenenses and Benfica, signing with the latter in 2008 and going on to win ten major titles, including three league titles, one Taça de Portugal, five Taças da Liga, and one Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira. He represented Portugal in two FIFA World Cups, earning 14 caps.
Ruben Amorim’s early life
Ruben Amorim fell in love with Manchester while binge-watching his favorite TV show… set in Birmingham.
The new Red Devils boss became so obsessed with Peaky Blinders that he watched the first three series back-to-back within days as he desperately waited for the next installment. Although the show is set in the West Midlands in the 1920s, where it follows the exploits of a family of Brummie gangsters, Amorim will now have its iconic set on his doorstep, as much of the filming is carried out in and around Manchester.
Ruben Amorim won multiple significant titles before turning to the sidelines. He started his youth career at Clube Atletico Cultural at 13. A couple of years later, he moved to Benfica before joining Belenenses in the next season.
Amorim donned the Belenenses colors for his first-ever senior career game on December 14, 2003. However, his debut was shorter than expected, as the midfielder played only over a minute. His side had already sealed a 2-0 victory against Alverca. The Portuguese registered only 19 appearances in the first two seasons in the Premier Liga.
Things changed for the better in the 2005-06 season as Ruben became a starter for Belenenses. He went on to earn 106 caps for the club and scored five goals. Fans saw him play for a whopping 2,491 minutes in his final season with the club.
Biography
In April 2008, Amorim signed a four-year deal with Benfica. He won his first major title in his first season at the Portuguese club. Benfica brought home Taca da Liga in March 2009. The club won the Premier Liga and the League Cup the following season. He had a rough phase from 2011 to 2013. He got his knees operated and was sidelined for months. Ruben was sent to Braga on loan in 2012.
Ruben Amorim earned his identity back by playing a crucial role in Benfica’s treble-winning season. He played 37 games for the club as they won the league, Taca de Portugal, and Taca de Liga. Benfica came on top against Rio Ave to win the Supertaca Candido de Oliveira, their fourth title in 2014. The Lisbon-born clinched ten trophies: three league titles, five Tacas da Liga, one Supertaca Candido de Oliveira, and one Taca de Portugal.
Amorim suffered an injury in August 2014 and couldn’t start a game until February. Upon his return, Benfica lost the domestic League Cup semi-finals. He said goodbye to Benfica fans in August 2014, signing a year-long deal with Qatari club Al Wakrah. He bid farewell to the football pitch on April 4, 2017.
Ruben Amorim’s relationship with Joao Catalarrana
And pals say he and his dad still remain supporters and members of the club, despite his success with their arch-rivals Sporting, who recruited him as manager in March 2020. Retired aeronautics worker Joao Bone, 67, is pals with both Virgilio and Amorim’s mum, Anabela, who he says is also in her 70s and still working.
He said: “I think Ruben probably got his work-ethic from them, they’re very hard working even now. They are both lovely people…jewels! I know them very well. They are extremely kind and pleasant. They are five-star people. His father was very influential on Ruben becoming a footballer. He took him everywhere.”
Amorim’s gritty upbringing included being mugged as a teenager, which led him to start hiding money in his socks before leaving home. Such experiences are understood to have formed his worldview and beliefs, and close pals say that, just like Shelby, he has a keen interest in politics and is on the center-left side.
Ruben Amorim’s Achievements and Trophies
After leading Braga to Taca da Liga as a player, he did it all over again as a manager in 2019-20. Under him, Sporting CP won the Primeira Liga in 2020-21 and 2023-24. He also led the Portuguese club to Taca da Liga in 2020-21 and 2021-22. Seven years after winning it as a Benfica midfielder, Ruben won Supertaca Candido de Oliveira in 2021 with Sporting CP. Ruben was named the Primeira Liga’s Manager of the Month 8 times. He was the league’s best manager in 2021 and 2024.
Amorim believes in Qatar.
Amorim showed his socialist beliefs in Qatar, where he played for Al-Wakrah during his final season as a player, when he was left outraged when his teammates went unpaid while he, as a foreigner, continued to receive his hefty salary. In an interview at the end of 2017, he revealed: “I told them it couldn’t happen, that they had to put their foot down and stop training.”
Amorim’s Coaching Career
Interestingly, after his retirement, Ruben Amorim did a one-week internship under Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho during the 2018-19 season. He then joined the third division side of Casa Pia. It didn’t start well, as Amorim lost his first two games. Amorim promised that he would leave the job if he lost another game. He tried a back-three formation and guided his side to an unbeaten run.
In 2019, his side faced a six-point penalty, and Amorim earned a one-year ban for instructing at the required coaching level. They withdrew the ban, but he resigned a while later. There were discussions about him coaching the club’s U23 side, but a deal was never closed.
Braga crushed B SAD 7-1 in Amorim’s first game at the club. They also reached the domestic league cup final, ending a four-year trophy drought. Braga defeated Benfica on their home soil for the first time in 65 years. They also made it to the pre-quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa League in 2019-20.
After taking charge as Sporting CP’s manager on March 4, 2020, Amorim ended another trophy drought, bringing Sporting’s first league title since 2002. Under him, they won three straight league cup finals and made it to the RO16 of the UEFA Champions League. Last season, he won the Primeira Liga side’s second league championship in his reign.
Manchester United’s statement on Ruben Amorim
Manchester United is delighted to announce the appointment of Ruben Amorim as Head Coach of the men’s first team, subject to work visa requirements.
He will join until June 2027, with an additional year club option once he has fulfilled his obligations to his current club. He will join Manchester United on Monday, November 11.
Ruben is one of European football’s most exciting and highly rated young coaches. Highly decorated as both a player and coach, his titles include winning the Primeira Liga twice in Portugal with Sporting CP, the first of which was the club’s first title in 19 years.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue to take charge of the team until Ruben joins.
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FAQs about Rúben Amorim’s Journey
1. Who is Rúben Amorim?
Rúben Amorim is a Portuguese professional football manager and former midfielder who is currently the head coach of Manchester United. He is known for his successful playing career and impressive coaching transition.
2. What were Rúben Amorim’s significant achievements as a player?
As a player, Amorim won 10 major titles, including three Primeira Liga championships, five Taças da Liga, one Taça de Portugal, and one Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, primarily during his time with Benfica. He also represented Portugal in two FIFA World Cups.
3. How did Rúben Amorim transition into coaching?
After retiring in 2017, Amorim briefly interned under José Mourinho and began coaching with Casa Pia in Portugal’s third division. He later managed Braga, leading them to success, before taking over at Sporting CP, where he ended their 19-year league title drought.
4. What are Rúben Amorim’s notable achievements as a manager?
As a manager, Amorim won multiple titles with Sporting CP, including two Primeira Liga championships and three consecutive League Cups. He also guided the team to success in domestic and European competitions, earning recognition as one of Europe’s top young coaches.
5. Why did Manchester United appoint Rúben Amorim as their head coach?
Manchester United chose Rúben Amorim for his tactical expertise, proven success in Portuguese football, and reputation as one of Europe’s brightest young managers. His appointment signals the club’s commitment to a long-term vision for success.
