Despite the mistakes he made and the stubbornness he displayed, Rúben Amorim says that Sporting “was always in first place” until Manchester United’s proposal to replace Dutchman Erik Ten Hag as coach of the ‘red devils’.
HUGO DELGADO | Lusa
Coach Rúben Amorim thanked, this Sunday, the “incredible adventure” of almost five years he lived in Sporting and he was proud to head to the English of Manchester United as a “product of Portuguese football”.
“It was an incredible adventure. I always seemed to have all the certainty and know the path well, but I had phases with some doubts. I had a lot of people who helped me. I experienced a very difficult context when I arrived, but a very special one. This context is difficult to repeat somewhere else. It may not be possible to recreate what we had here. What I can say to the Sporting fans is thank you for this fantastic adventure”, he said, after the 4-2 victory against Sporting de Braga, in his farewell game for the club. lions’.
Winner of two championships (2020/21 and 2023/24), two editions of the League Cup (2020/21 and 2021/22) and a Super Cup (2021) with the Alvalade club, the 39-year-old coach considered that this victory Sunday, in Braga, was “an even more memorable moment” than Tuesday’s victory over Manchester City (4-1), in the Champions League.
Ruben Amorim with the right to a victorious comeback in his farewell
Rúben Amorim even confessed that the turnaround in the second half is difficult to explain, as if consummated by the “spirit” of all the players he has guided at the ‘lions’ since March 2020, having given as examples the names of Coates, Luís Neto, Antunes or Matheus Nunes.
“It seems like everyone who came through here in the last four years was there. I was already champion for my favorite club [Benfica] but this result was very special, much more than on Tuesday. We all won the game together at my farewell. It had to be like this”, he stressed.
Despite the mistakes he made and the stubbornness he exhibited, Rúben Amorim says that the Sporting “has always been in first place” until Manchester United’s proposal to replace Dutchman Erik Ten Hag as coach of the ‘red devils’.
“That was the only time I thought more about myself than the team, but I felt like this was the time to follow my path. If I’m somewhere, I feel like I have to be there with my body and soul,” he specified.
In addition to thanking Frederico Varandas, Rúben Amorim also thanked the president of Sporting de Braga, António Salvador, and the coordinator of the Arsenalistas’ training, Hugo Vieira, for the bet to hire Ricardo Sá Pinto as coach of the Braga team in December 2019, in a three-month period that won a League Cup for the Minho people and preceded the move to Alvalade.
“I’m very proud to be a ‘product’ of Portuguese football”
Hoping that Sporting makes the best start ever in the championship in the next round, when they host Santa Clara, in the 12th round of the Portuguese First League, on November 30, and that the squad can head to Praça do Marquês de Pombal, in Lisbon , to celebrate his second championship, Rúben Amorim also expressed his appreciation for Portuguese football before moving to the ‘Premier League’.
“I’m very proud to be a ‘product’ of Portuguese football. The fact that a Benfica fan has this success at Sporting shows that Portuguese football is healthy. In the beginning, I ‘complained’ more with the referees than I do now. I’ve also evolved on this issue “, he said, in the press room of the Braga Municipal Stadium.
The coach warned, however, that one of the situations that frustrated him as a coach was the inevitability of selling players, season after season, and warned of the growing disparity in budgets between teams in the Portuguese top flight.
“Something that made me very frustrated was having to sell players. I wanted to take steps forward, because it is a limitation of our football. The budgets of small teams and big teams start to make a big difference in the championship. If we don’t all develop , we’re going to get even worse. I don’t know if Portuguese football will be ‘poorer’ with my departure.
Sport – Amorim’s Adventure: A Reflective Farewell
Now, if you’ve ever watched a man try to convince his dog to fetch a stick, you know how stubborn some beings can be. And on that note, let’s talk about Rúben Amorim. The guy thinks he’s a mix of a wise oracle and a stubborn mule after coaching at Sporting Lisbon. And let’s give him credit, he’s clearly had an ‘incredible adventure’ in the Portuguese footballing wilderness—one that even the lifeguards at the local pool would struggle to save him from!
After almost five years with Sporting, Amorim has bid his fond farewells, and what a way to do it—by beating Sporting de Braga 4-2! Perfectly timed, like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat, and you’re left wondering how it all just happened. It’s like he knew this was his last show and he was going to make it a memorable one. He’s even got a trophy cabinet to boast about, with two championships, two League Cups, and a Super Cup! Not bad for a chap who started out wondering whether he’d accidentally walked into the wrong changing room.
“It was an incredible adventure. I always seemed to have all the certainty and know the path well, but I had phases with some doubts…”
– Rúben Amorim
Amorim’s eloquence in expressing his pride at being a “product of Portuguese football” is as refreshing as finding a tenner in your jeans pocket. And let’s be honest, how many Benfica fans can say they’ve succeeded at Sporting without going home for a quiet cry in the corner? It must be like trying to host Christmas dinner at your ex’s house – awkward but somehow triumphant!
But then, amidst the reminiscing and fond farewells, he slipped into a bit of introspection, noting his only regret was the brief moment he thought about his future more than the team’s, which, let’s be real, we’ve all had those moments. Whether it’s about taking a second helping of dessert or finally getting around to returning that library book—everyone has a moment of “me, me, me”.
“If I’m somewhere, I feel like I have to be there with my body and soul,”
– Rúben Amorim
As he sets his sights on the English Premier League, where dreams—and budgets—are much bigger, he can’t help but be a little disheartened by the whole ‘selling players’ situation in Portuguese football. It’s like watching a child consistently give away their toys when they’re the only ones with a Lego set. “Hey, can’t you just keep the fun going?!” I can hear the football gods questioning.
“I’m very proud to be a ‘product’ of Portuguese football”
And as he bows out, there’s a bittersweet tone in the air. Amorim hopes the young lions at Sporting can keep roaring, especially with a big match against Santa Clara just around the corner. Will they make it to Praça do Marquês de Pombal to celebrate? Or will they settle for a cozy dinner at a spot three blocks away? Only time will tell.
“Something that made me very frustrated was having to sell players. I wanted to take steps forward, because it is a limitation of our football.”
– Rúben Amorim
So here’s to Rúben Amorim—who leaves Sporting a legend, like the old guy at the pub, forever telling tales of glory days, while waiting to buy the next round. As we wish him luck in his new Premier League role, let’s hope he remembers to wear his ‘I love Portuguese football’ t-shirt under his new suit!
In reflecting on his time at Sporting, Rúben Amorim acknowledged the mistakes he made and his own stubbornness. He emphasized that during his tenure, Sporting was “always in first place” until Manchester United approached him to potentially replace Erik Ten Hag as head coach of the storied club.
HUGO DELGADO | Lusa
On Sunday, Coach Rúben Amorim expressed immense gratitude for the “incredible adventure” of nearly five years he enjoyed at Sporting, highlighting his pride in representing the English giants of Manchester United as a distinguished “product of Portuguese football.”
“It was an incredible adventure. I always seemed to have all the certainty and know the path well, but I had phases with some doubts. I experienced a very difficult context when I arrived, but a very special one. This context is difficult to repeat somewhere else. What I can say to the Sporting fans is thank you for this fantastic adventure,” he shared, following a thrilling 4-2 victory against Sporting de Braga in his final match as manager of the ‘lions.’
Throughout his impressive career at the helm of the Alvalade club, Amorim led the team to clinch two championships (2020/21 and 2023/24), secured two League Cups (2020/21 and 2021/22), and celebrated a Super Cup victory in 2021. He noted that the recent win against Braga was “an even more memorable moment” than the impressive 4-1 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League just days prior.
Rúben Amorim revealed that the stunning second-half turnaround during the match against Braga was almost mystical, driven by the “spirit” of all the players who had worn the Sporting jersey since he took charge in March 2020; he mentioned key figures like Coates, Luís Neto, Antunes, and Matheus Nunes as examples of this unity.
“It seems as though everyone who came through here in the last four years was there. I was already champion for my favorite club [Benfica] but this result was very special, much more than on Tuesday. We all won the game together at my farewell. It had to be like this,” he emphasized with emotion.
Despite some personal missteps and his own occasional stubbornness, Rúben Amorim clarified that Sporting was “always in first place” up to the moment he received an offer from Manchester United to take over from Erik Ten Hag.
“That was the only time I thought more about myself than the team, but I felt this was the time to follow my path. If I’m somewhere, I feel like I have to be there with my body and soul,” he explained candidly.
Along with his thanks directed towards Sporting’s president Frederico Varandas, Rúben Amorim expressed gratitude to António Salvador, the president of Sporting de Braga, and to Hugo Vieira, the training coordinator, for trusting in hiring Ricardo Sá Pinto, a crucial decision that shaped Amorim’s career prior to his transition to Alvalade.
“I’m very proud to be a ‘product’ of Portuguese football”
As Rúben Amorim prepares for his new chapter, he optimistically wishes that Sporting delivers a stellar performance in their upcoming championship round against Santa Clara on November 30. He hopes the squad can celebrate their second championship triumph at Praça do Marquês de Pombal in Lisbon.
“I’m very proud to be a ‘product’ of Portuguese football. The fact that a Benfica fan has this success at Sporting shows that Portuguese football is healthy. In the beginning, I ‘complained’ more with the referees than I do now. I’ve also evolved on this issue,” he reflected during the press conference at the Braga Municipal Stadium.
However, Amorim did express concern over a recurring frustration: the necessity to sell players each season. He warned of the growing financial divide between teams in the Portuguese top flight, which he sees as a critical challenge for the future.
“Something that made me very frustrated was having to sell players. I wanted to take steps forward because it is a limitation of our football. The budgets of small teams and big teams start to make a big difference in the championship. If we don’t all develop, we’re going to get even worse. I don’t know if Portuguese football will be ‘poorer’ with my departure.”
Ned.
As Rúben Amorim prepares to embark on this new chapter with Manchester United, the Portuguese football community reflects on a coach who not only embraced his roots but also worked tirelessly to elevate his club. His tenure at Sporting was marked by significant achievements and memorable moments that will resonate with fans for years to come. The legacy he leaves behind is more than just trophies; it’s the spirit, resilience, and pride he instilled in the team and its supporters.
The upcoming match against Santa Clara will surely be a bittersweet moment for both Amorim and the Sporting fans. It will serve as a reminder of the journey they’ve traveled together, and a chance for the club to honor their departing manager. As they look to the future, Amorim’s profound influence on the squad will undoubtedly shape the next generation of players who aim to carry on his vision.
In a football landscape often dominated by financial disparities and player sales, Amorim’s emphasis on unity and player development stands out. His parting words resonate deeply with all those involved in Portuguese football: change is imperative, and as teams strive to compete on larger stages, collaboration and support among clubs will be vital for the future of the sport.
As Amorim steps into the Premier League, fans will no doubt be watching closely, hoping to see him replicate his success and passion on an even bigger platform. With the hopes of Sporting fans in his heart, he moves forward, proud of where he came from, and eager to forge a new path in a different footballing wilderness.
Rúben Amorim’s journey epitomizes the essence of football: a relentless pursuit of greatness, wrapped in the relationships we forge along the way, and the pride we take from our roots. As he takes this leap into the unknown, one thing is certain—he leaves behind an indelible mark on Portuguese football that will not be forgotten.