Sporting CP star Pedro Goncalves has opened up on Ruben Amorim’s impact at the title-winning club before he left for Manchester United in November
Pedro Goncalves admitted he shed a tear over Ruben Amorim’s mid-season departure from Sporting CP, praising the father-like feeling he brought to his managerial role in Portugal.
Amorim joined Manchester United last November in a bid to bring more success to the club, replacing Erik ten Hag. His tenure at United has proven challenging, though, with the Red Devils only just keeping their head above the relegation zone.
Adding to Amorim’s growing issues, United fell to defeat on Wednesday evening, losing out to Tottenham Hotspur in this year’s Europa League final.
United had been hoping to claim a victory that would have seen them qualify for the Champions League, but a scrappy goal by Brennan Johnson on the stroke of half-time extinguished those hopes, inflicting further anguish on the club.
Amorim is now enduring mounting pressure as he returns to Manchester empty-handed. Despite such setbacks, Goncalves maintains faith in his former Sporting boss, attributing much of his own success to Amorim’s guidance before his sudden 2024 exit.
In an interview with Canal 11, the 26-year-old, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer, 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.”
Reflecting on the effects of Amorim’s exit, Goncalves added: “We were left without a coach, without a captain, without the forward, Paulinho, who gave us a lot and scored many decisive goals, plus Adan, who was an experienced goalkeeper.
“In the middle of the season, we felt we were missing some leadership. The team united, and it went well. Everyone tried to lead, and Morten started to emerge.”
Despite Amorim’s departure, Sporting managed to clinch the Liga Portugal title, holding off a strong challenge from their fierce rivals Benfica. However, Amorim has not found success easy to come by since moving to Manchester.
United suffered a demoralising Europa League final defeat, departures from three other cup competitions, and a worrying slide to 16th place in the Premier League.
The 40-year-old has claimed he would resign as Manchester United manager if the club’s fans and executives want him to. However, Amorim remains convinced that he can turn the team’s fortunes around and return them to the pinnacle of English football.
He said: “If the board and the fans feel I’m not the right guy, I will go in the next day without any conversation about compensation. But I will not quit again. I am confident in my job. As you see, I will not change anything in the way I do things.
“In this moment, I am not here to defend myself. It’s not my style. I have nothing to show to the fans. In this moment [I need] a little bit of faith.”
One person who continues to support Amorim is Luke Shaw, despite acknowledging that United have fallen short this season.
Shaw added: “I can say 100 per cent right now he’s the right man. Results have not been good at all. I’ve been here for a long time now and been through different managers.
“Ruben, for me, I talk on my behalf and I can talk on behalf of all the players, he is 100 per cent the right manager to take us back to where this club should be.
“It’s going to be a very difficult process, us as players, we’ve let a lot of people down, including Ruben. I will say it again, we’ve been nowhere near good enough the whole season.”
2025-05-22 10:11:57
