The Europa League final has been billed as make-or-break for both Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou – but the Manchester United boss is showing little concern about his future
The contrast between the two managers could not have been greater ahead of Wednesday’s winner-takes-all Europa League final showdown.
While Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou scowled and tried to settle scores over perceived insults, Manchester United boss Ruben Amorin cut a relaxed figure, despite everything at stake. If Amorim was feeling the pressure ahead of tonight’s £100million all-or-nothing clash in Bilbao, the United boss did not show it and nor did his inspirational captain Bruno Fernandes.
When asked why he felt he is not under the same pressure as Postecoglou, despite their sides being just a point and a place apart in the Premier League, the United boss was interrupted by his skipper. “He is!” said a smiling Fernandes, answering on behalf of his boss, who dissolved into laughter at the cheeky response.
“He wants my job!” was Amorim’s retort. “He’ll be a very very good coach. But he has to work on his mindset. He doesn’t know how to deal with people!” The light-hearted exchange between Fernandes and Amorim gave an insight into the calm mentality within the United camp ahead of what will be a season-defining game for both clubs.
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While Postecoglou is almost certainly on his way this summer, Amorim’s job is not under threat, a position the 40-year-old Portuguese coach admitted is hard to explain, given they have had such similarly calamitous domestic seasons.
“I don’t know,” said Amorim. “I know that in this kind of club, also Tottenham, but especially Manchester United, it’s strange because you have some coaches here that lose some games and are sacked. So it’s hard to explain.
“But I think people see what we’re trying to do and see I’m about thinking more about the club than myself. People, especially the board, understand that we have a lot of issues that in their context are really hard.
“I don’t know how to explain how the fans like me in this moment. But the good thing is I never worry about that. That’s a part of being a coach and the most important thing is I know what I’m doing and I explained everything before when we started.
“I explained about a storm coming, I explained all the problems we have to the board, so I was so clear and I explained that I will not change my ideas. So they cannot say one thing about what I said to get the job and then I change my mind.
“It’s the opposite. I think the board can understand that, I think the fans can understand that but we will reach a moment where we have to win – no matter what.”
Despite their abysmal Premier League form this season, which has seen them lose 18 times, United remain unbeaten in the Europa League, with nine wins and five draws. They looked to be heading out when trailing Lyon 4-2 in extra-time in the quarter-finals, but staged an epic late comeback to win 5-4, with Harry Maguire plundering a 121st-minute winner.
That fightback, coupled with a 7-1 aggregate semi-final win over Athletic Bilbao, denying the hosts the chance to reach the final at home, fuelled the narrative that United’s name is on the trophy. Fernandes hinted as much when he said: “Everyone knows about Fergie time here, so we just have to believe that the magic is still present at the club.
“But a final is a final – it doesn’t matter who we’re playing. Finals are usually cagey affairs, as both teams are scared to make mistakes. It’s two teams who have had a rough season, but who can end it with a European trophy.”
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