Amorim named 'best coach in the world'

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 13 Nov 2024 11:52 GMT
• 3 min read

Ruben Amorim has been named as the best coach in the world.

The 39-year-old took up his role at Manchester United this week. The Portuguese arrived at Carrington Training Ground on Monday and now has an international break to try and get the United players up to speed. His first match will be against Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Sunday, November 24.

And he has earned high praise from a compatriot, with Fabio Coentrao, formerly of Real Madrid, who has called the young coach the best in class in the world today.

Coentrao said via Goal: “Sporting have lost a very important figure, but I am thrilled for Ruben. Manchester United have gained the best coach in the world… by far.”

After joining Sporting CP, he led the club to their first league title in almost 20 years. He also picked up three Portuguese league cups and one domestic Super Cup.

Ferdinand questions Amorim

There is high expectation for Amorim, but former United player Rio Ferdinand disagreed with Ruben Amorim's decision to axe Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Van Nistelrooy had only arrived in the summer as Erik ten Hag's assistant and took over the club on an interim basis for a short period, where he won three out of his four games.

The Dutchman left the club after he and Amorim had a conversation, with the new coach bringing in his own coaching staff. But this angered Ferdinand, believing that his former teammate had a right to stay on at the Old Trafford club.

"[Van Nistelrooy's] audition couldn’t have gone any better and I think, knowing him, there was a steely determination underneath that said 'I’m going to put myself in the best position, either to stay at the club in some capacity or someone else is going to say we need you as a manager,'" he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.

"The players had grown to really like him, they appreciated how he informed them of different bits and pieces – tactically, individually, as a team – and there was a genuine 'we want to do well for this guy.'

"We’ve been sitting here waiting for a manager to connect with the players. We have one right now. Why are you going to get rid of him?"