Ruben Amorim has had one of the roughest introductions to Premier League management anyone could imagine—but he’s not running.
In fact, he’s looking to plant roots at Manchester United for the long haul.
After a chaotic first season full of setbacks, the 40-year-old is dreaming of a 20-year tenure with the club, a statement that might sound bold given the team’s recent struggles.
But Amorim isn’t one to back down when the pressure’s on.
“I Want to Stay 20 Years”—The Long-Term Vision
Speaking during United’s pre-season tour in the U.S., Amorim didn’t hold back on his ambitions:
“Yeah, I want to stay. I want to stay 20 (years),” he said confidently.
“That is my goal and I truly believe in that. Always do.”
Despite a nightmare debut season where United finished at their lowest-ever Premier League position, Amorim is holding onto belief and resilience.
He admits last year drained all the goodwill he came in with, but insists he’s ready for a fresh start.
A Club He Waited Years to Join
Amorim wasn’t quick to jump ship from his previous post at Sporting Lisbon, where he’d built success over five years and clinched two league titles.
That patience, he said, was deliberate.
He was waiting for the right opportunity—and Manchester United was it.
“It took me five years to choose this club. I don’t want to fail,” he said.
“At Sporting, people said I’d be gone in three months. That I had just a 3% chance of winning a title. And yet we did it. I stayed.”
It’s not just about wins for Amorim.
He values building real bonds and staying long enough to be part of a deeper process.
That’s what he’s hoping for in Manchester.
Holding On Through a Difficult First Year
Last season didn’t go remotely as planned. Amorim’s United lost 14 out of 27 Premier League games, and any hopes of reaching the Champions League were dashed when they lost the Europa League final to Tottenham in Bilbao.
But what hurt more than the results, Amorim revealed, was the dread he felt before every match.
“The hardest part wasn’t coming home after the games—it was leaving the house to go to them,” he admitted.
“I knew we weren’t going to be competitive. That’s the toughest feeling for a manager.”
Still, he stayed focused on his family and leaned on the bigger picture—something that’s helped him push forward even during the darkest moments.
Backed When It Mattered Most
Credit where it’s due: Amorim hasn’t forgotten the faith the United leadership showed in him.
In a footballing world where managers are often axed after just a handful of bad results, United’s hierarchy—especially under the new Ineos minority ownership—chose patience.
“If you try to name one big team that lost as many games as we did and kept their manager, you won’t find one.
That tells you everything,” he said.
“They didn’t just say they support me. They showed it.”
Believing in Ineos, Berrada, Wilcox—and a Cultural Reset
Despite the setbacks, Amorim is confident United are being rebuilt the right way.
He pointed to new CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox as part of a forward-thinking leadership group focused on creating a winning culture.
“There are things you can’t buy—history, pedigree, the fans.
This club has all that,” he said.
“Even without Champions League football, we have money now, and we’ll have even more in the future.Omar and the others are already strategizing to grow that. The real key is culture.”
He believes if they can change the club culture to match its legacy and resources, Manchester United will find its way back to the top.
What’s Next for Amorim and United?
With a new season ahead and the backing of his leadership team, Amorim is hoping to turn the page on his debut year.
He’s not naïve—he knows results will ultimately decide his future.
But for now, he’s holding tight to his vision of long-term success, built on trust, loyalty, and transformation.
If Amorim gets his wish, we might just be at the beginning of one of the longest and most surprising managerial reigns in recent Premier League history.
