Manchester United have appointed their first ever head coach in Ruben Amorim, with the wording of his new job title rather significant.
Sources have told The i Paper that Amorim was their top target as he represents a difference brand of coach to what came before – and unlike previous bosses, he will not be described as “manager”.
Despite the club’s reputation for dragging out the capture of new arrivals, United moved at breakneck speed to bring him in from Sporting Lisbon, only five days after Erik ten Hag was finally put out of his misery.
While the club had initially hoped he would be released by Sporting sooner, Amorim won’t be in place for a few weeks yet and will take charge of his first match against Ipswich Town on 24 November, officially starting work on 11 November.
Since Ineos got their feet under the desk at Old Trafford, they have been adamant that the right footballing structure must be put in place before any revival can begin. Hiring Amorim is just another part of this vision becoming a reality.
Recruitment will be left to others, as was supposed to happen under Ten Hag before he made the United dressing room a poor imitation of an Ajax tribute band.
Amorim is there to do what Ineos are desperate to see – instill an identity and a recognisable style of play, conspicuous by its absence for over a decade.
The dealbreaker that persuaded Liverpool to go for Arne Slot over Amorim was the Portuguese’s penchant for a three-at-the-back system. Ineos are not in the hunt for a manager with a particular formation preference, they just want an identifiable playing philosophy.
Ten Hag enjoyed initial success at United, playing some of the best football we have seen in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. But much of that initial success was based around the quality of individuals he possessed, rather than any exciting brand of football he had encouraged himself. After two-and-a-half years in Manchester, we are none the wiser as to what Ten Hag-ball is.
Amorim’s age was a deciding factor too. Numerous recent squads have had the talent but lacked the freshness of ideas from above. The 39-year-old will bring innovation that has been severely lacking in his predecessors and help the club start all over again.
Whatever United may say, at some point Thomas Tuchel was very much the first choice to replace Ten Hag before the German succeeded Gareth Southgate as England boss. However, there were doubts among many behind the scenes as to whether the abrasive former Chelsea manager would fit into Ineos’ vision.
Amorim very much does. Happy to work his magic on the training ground with the players he has got, expect United to finally get a more recognisable approach that is theirs and theirs alone.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/kpXyqMc
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