Ruben Amorim’s time at Manchester United was not a memorable one for him, his staff, the players, or the fans. His right-hand man has now opened up about the 14 months at Old Trafford.
Former Manchester United Coach Opens Up About Old Trafford Stint
Erik ten Hag’s sacking at Man United in October 2024 paved the way for Ruben Amorim’s arrival the following month. The Sporting CP manager had talks with West Ham United earlier in the year and was reportedly considered by Chelsea too, before the two London clubs opted against appointing him.
However, things did not go as planned for Amorim, as he was sacked in January 2026 following a poor run of form. The Portuguese manager had a shocking 38.1% win success at the club in all competitions, but his right-hand man, Adelio Candido, believes he was not given enough time.
Speaking to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Candido claimed the players of the club did not understand their tactics and methods quickly enough. The former coach added that their experience will still be a meaningful one for all involved as they learnt a lot and enjoyed staying in Manchester.
He said, “Experience is always experience, whether the outcome is good or bad, we always come away with learning. In Manchester, I really liked the city and the way the fans experience football, more focused on the project than on the immediate result. What I liked least was, without a doubt, feeling that our ideas weren’t fully implemented.”
Amorim and his staff are still without a club, but have been linked with Brazilian giants Vasco da Gama. When quizzed about their possible return to the dugout, the former Man United coach added, “Only the future will tell if leaving was bad for our careers or not. Right now I’m enjoying my free time with my family without thinking too much about the future, but I know that when my phone rings, Ruben will talk to me.”
Manchester United have flourished since the sacking of Amorim, with the club remaining unbeaten under new head coach Michael Carrick. They failed to do much under interim coach Darren Fletcher, and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton & Hove Albion.
However, since Carrick’s appointment, they have beaten Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham, Tottenham, Everton, and Crystal Palace. They have dropped points just once in the league, a 1-1 draw at West Ham United.
The stunning performances have seen them rise to third in the Premier League table, less than a year after finishing 15th under Amorim.
