Fabio Coentrao, a Champions League winner with Real Madrid, hailed new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim as "the best manager in the world".
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Coentrao backs Amorim to succeed at Man UtdSporting legend began work on MondayFirst match to come against Ipswich on Nov. 24Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
United officially confirmed Amorim as their new head coach following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag after a rocky start to the season. The Dutchman's departure came amid growing discontent over the team’s performance, with only four wins in 14 matches across competitions, leaving them 14th in the Premier League standings.
The recruitment of Amorim has brought a wave of optimism among United fans and insiders, who are eager to see how his expertise could rejuvenate the squad and reignite their season. Upon Amorim's arrival at Carrington on Monday, United’s CEO Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth personally greeted him, offering a warm welcome to his new home.
AdvertisementWHAT COENTRAO SAID
In wake of Amorim’s appointment, former Real Madrid and Portugal star Coentrao expressed admiration for United officials for zeroing in on his compatriot for the Old Trafford hot seat.
The former left-back, speaking during a tour at the Matosinhos docks in Portugal, where he owns a boat, said: "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."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
In response to Amorim’s departure, Sporting moved quickly to find a new leader for their senior squad. They announced Joao Pereira, a former Portugal international, as his successor. Pereira has a longstanding association with Sporting, having concluded his playing career at the club in 2021 before joining their coaching staff. And after proving his skills with Sporting’s Under-23 team and the reserves, he will look to build on the momentum set by Amorim.
However, Coentrao refrained from making a comparison between the two and said: "Ruben is Ruben, Joao is Joao. Ruben has already proven himself and now he will make us proud in another country. Ruben cared about Sporting until the last second and left the team very well prepared. The team is ready and whoever goes there has to be intelligent and finish the work that Ruben did. With this team, without a doubt, Sporting has to be champion."
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR AMORIM?
Amorim's first match as United head coach is scheduled for November 24 – an away game against Ipswich Town at Portman Road in the Premier League.
