Ruben Amorim reacted strongly to questions about his job security on Sunday, delivering a defiant message that he was coming to Manchester United as a manager with full authority, and not just a coach following orders.
Amorim had looked gloomy on Friday as he discussed possible transfers, and the Portuguese coach became visibly irritated when asked if he still had the confidence of the board.
The 40-year-old dismissed reporters with a sharp rebuke about «selective information» before emphatically defending his position.
“I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United, and that is clear,” said a visibly frustrated Amorim after the 1-1 draw at Leeds United.
«I know my name is not (Thomas) Tuchel, it is not (Antonio) Conte, it is not (Jose) Mourinho, but I am the manager of Manchester United. It will remain that way for 18 months or whenever the board decides to change.»
‘I’M NOT GOING UP’
Amorim made it clear he has no intention of leaving Old Trafford, repeatedly emphasizing his managerial authority over mere coaching duties.
«So that was my point. I want to end with that. I’m not going to stop,» he added. “I will do my job until another man comes here to replace me.”
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When Amorim pressed further for guarantees about his ability to lead the team, he doubled down on his position.
«I just want to say that I’m going to be the manager of this team, not just the coach. And I was very clear about that,» he said.
«And that will be ready in eighteen months, and then everyone will move on. That was the agreement. That is my job, not to be a coach.»
Amorim then addressed external criticism, suggesting the club needed to change if it could not cope with commentary from television pundits such as former United player Gary Neville.
“If people can’t handle Gary Neville and the criticism of everything then we have to change the club,” he said before repeating his key message.
«I just want to say that I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach. And every department – the scouting department, the sporting director – has to do its job.»
“I’ll do mine for 18 months, and then we’ll move on.”
Published on January 4, 2026
