Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim’s exit brought dressing room to tears as stars show true colours

Ruben Amorim has endured a tough tenure at Manchester United since replacing Erik ten Hag in November, but it’s evident that the Portuguese mastermind knows how to cultivate close team relationships

Ruben Amorim reduced his Sporting CP squad to tears when he left the club in November to take the reins of Manchester United. The Portuguese tactician enjoyed a stellar four-year stint with the Primeira Liga side between 2020 and 2024, winning three league titles and three domestic cups before the Red Devils spent £11million to bring him and his coaching staff to Old Trafford.

And while Amorim has had a far-from-stellar season with United, winning just eight Premier League games since taking over from Erik ten Hag and finishing a record low 15th in the standings, it is clear that the 40-year-old is able to build budding relationships with his players.

That is, of course, if his former Sporting CP squad’s opinions of him are anything to go off. As per Abola, Eduardo Quaresma broke down in tears in the wake of Amorim leaving the club last year, telling the publication: “I was sad, we had a very good relationship with the manager, I feel sad for him, he deserves everything good.

“I don’t believe it. There were times when I didn’t believe it would happen. I don’t know if I can say it. We had a meeting and he said to us, ‘Guys, I don’t know anything, trust me.’

“The next game, the guy said he was leaving, but he stayed for another four games. All I could think was, ‘Go away’. I cried a lot. I think I cried the most.”

Quaresma was not the only player who was emotional as Amorim parted ways with the European stalwarts either, with Pedro Goncalves also noting an incredibly strong relationship with his former manager. The attacking midfielder said: “I wouldn’t be here today [without him].

“We had a very strong bond, both professionally and personally. He liked my wife very much and was concerned about my well-being, both on the field and in my family life.

“He knew when players were happy or sad, and he knew exactly what to say. We were sad. I started crying because I really liked him, and I was sad. I never told him not to go; I wished him good luck. The players understood. He was like a father to us. We were sad, but we understood. I wish him the best of luck.”

Meanwhile, Maximiliano Araujo, who was brought to the Jose Alvalade by Amorim last summer, highlighted the impact that the manager had on not only him, but the squad as a whole. He revealed to Abola his disappointment in seeing Amorim leave for United: “It was normal.

“I noticed it, yes, in many of my team-mates, because it was normal. That’s what I’m telling you. When you have a really good coach like that, you don’t want him to leave. When so many players cry… I have no doubt that many players felt a lot of affection for him. And, yes, it was a bit difficult. As I say… it was normal, understandable, given all the affection the players felt for him.”

After Amorim’s exit from Sporting CP, Joao Pereira took the reins of the club for a month before he was replaced by Rui Borges in December.

And the 43-year-old not only managed to guide his team to a Taca de Portugal trophy, but also to beat rivals Benfica to a Liga Portugal title by two points. It comes as Amorim held his hands up for a lacklustre first season at Old Trafford, as he has failed to get his inherited squad to adapt to his patented style of play.

While the manager was able to oversee a 2-0 win over Aston Villa during Sunday’s seasonal finale at Old Trafford – courtesy of goals from Amad and Christian Eriksen – the victory came as all but a consolation prize from an otherwise dreadful term. Addressing fans from the pitch after the full-time whistle, Amorim said: “First of all, I want to apologise for this season.

“I know you are really disappointed with me, and really disappointed with the team. Second thing, I want to say thank you. We are very grateful for your support during the season, and I know that was really hard.

“I know it was really hard in many ways, but now we have to make a choice or we stay stuck in the past – because this season is in the past. It’s over. We fight each other, or we stick together and move forward.

“Six months ago, in my first three games in charge with two victories and one draw, I said to you, ‘The storm is coming.’ Today, after this disaster season, I want to tell you, the good days are coming. If there is one club in the world that proved in the past, that can overcome any situation, any disaster, it’s our club. It’s Manchester United Football Club.

“Now I want to say sorry also to my players. Sometimes I was not fair, but I tried always to be honest to you guys. Thank you very much, see you next season.”

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