A year ago, when Manchester United announced Ruben Amorim as head coach with a contract until the summer of 2027, many people thought it was a bold decision. But few people know that the journey to bring the Portuguese strategist to Old Trafford really started... 6 months before, through a series of closed meetings in Monaco, London and Barcelona... where the United leadership operated on every detail about the future of the team that had been lost for too long.
Amorim is not on the list
In May 2024, United won just one of their eight Premier League games, including a 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace. With a chance in the FA Cup final, Sir Dave Brailsford, Jean-Claude Blanc and Jason Wilcox - who are responsible for the sporting strategy - all understand that this is no longer the result aspect, but the problem in the system.
A meeting in Monaco was opened, with both Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Omar Berrada, who have not yet officially become CEO, present. The decision was passed, United need a new coach, because "the team is not at the necessary level". The tactics of many different coaches are analyzed and based on the 4-3-3 attack system. Data of the teams when they have and do not have the ball. In addition, his previous experience in the Premier League was also emphasized. The six names on the list include: Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Frank, Marco Silva and Graham Potter. Amorim was not among them.
All of them have unofficial connections. Tuchel and De Zerbi are leading candidates, and United started meeting the candidates at the end of May, in person or online. But as Wilcox researched in football as the next coach of the new generation, the name Amorim along with Thiago Motta was always mentioned. The first call to Lisbon was made. Wilcox had an unofficial conversation with Amorim, then left with a brief comment: Forever.
However, United at that time thought that bringing a young coach from Portugal to the Premier League, in the midst of internal chaos, was too risky. United's new coaching staff have just gotten to know each other in the context of continuous departures and cost cuts. There will also be major changes in infrastructure, which requires investment in improving the club's data department, so it is not ideal for a new coach from abroad. United lean towards Tuchel and De Zerbi.
Ten Hag news once again
Tuchel was invited to Monaco, presenting plans to rebuild United. The meeting lasted for many hours, but the two sides did not agree on the authority and timing of the start. Therefore, De Zerbi became the leading candidate and the financial terms were discussed in what United felt was fair. But they were rejected, and chose not to improve their terms.
After that, United returned to the idea of continuing with Ten Hag. They accept that the Dutch coach was excellent in the first season, if not the second season, despite the squad being deeply affected by injuries and the dressing room being described as "complex" and " trouble". One advantage of keeping Ten Hag is that he is ready and will not add to the changes the club is facing.
There have been questions about Ten Hag's communication style, but 16 days after the FA Cup final, United finally told the Dutch coach that they wanted him to stay. The next day, a group led by Brailsford visited Ibiza, where Ten Hag was stationed, in an attempt to restore confidence in the tested relationship. He has also been extended his contract to strengthen his position with the players. This comes with the condition that he has to change most of the coaching staff, and he agrees.
That summer, the budget was held up by the FFP. United signed Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee and successfully convinced young talent Leny Yoro from Lille. However, everything was just a stack. By October, the team had fallen to the bottom half of the rankings. Internal assessments say that all signals are in the wrong direction, and they cannot continue.
Meets in Barcelona and Seville
INEOS - Ratcliffe's corporation - becomes a new center of power. A meeting took place at their Barcelona office, featuring Brailsford, Blanc, Berrada, Wilcox and Ashworth (who have just left Newcastle to become sporting directors). They agreed that this time they had to make a decisive choice. The shortlist only has Amorim's name. Berrada, who was the director of football at Man City, was given the task of contacting. The first meeting was arranged in Seville, after Sporting beat Portimonense in the Portuguese Cup.
Berrada, Ashworth and Wilcox flew by private jet. Ratcliffe and Brailsford arrived later. Amorim drove for 2 hours with representative Raul Costa to the 5-hour meeting in a Andalusia villa. He presented his football philosophy in detail: Using a 3-center-back system, but being flexible, emphasizing the player's versatility of tactics. He talked a lot about the importance of emotions, the way of using videos, the way of communicating with young players.
Those present were all conquered. A 39-year-old coach, clear-minded, confident, attractive, understands the modern football system. But Amorim asked back: "Why now? Why not the end of the season?". United know he makes sense, but they need to change immediately. We know that if he waits until the summer, it will take him 8 valuable months to understand the Premier League, Berrada later recounted.
A journey unlike any other
On October 25, all terms were finalized - 10 million Euros in release fees, appropriate salaries and a team of dedicated assistants. Amorim remains hesitant, but after many calls with Berrada and Wilcox, he says nay. A message was sent to Ratcliffe that night: We have people.
The next day, United lost 0-1 to West Ham. That was Ten Hag's last match. He was sacked on October 28. On the same day, Berrada flew to Lisbon to meet with Sporting President Frederico Varandas to resolve the procedures. The two sides negotiated tensively. Sporting wants more than 10 million Euros because it is in the middle of the season. After 2 nights of negotiations, the deal was completed - United paid an additional allowance and allowed Amorim to lead Sporting for 2 more matches, including the confrontation with Man City in the Champions League.
On November 11, Amorim officially signed a contract, taking over the coaching position at Old Trafford. 13 days later, he led United in his debut match against Ipswich Town, concluding a nearly half-year-long negotiation streak.
A journey unlike any other journey...
