Ruben Amorim has revealed the influence that Jose Mourinho had on his career, with the Portuguese holding his first press conference since being confirmed as Manchester United's new head coach.
Mourinho invited Amorim to Man United's training complex when the latter was studying to become a coach, and the 39-year-old is now the main man at Old Trafford, having arrived from Sporting Lisbon following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.
Amorim has revealed that Mourinho, who was in charge of the English club between May 2016 and December 2018, sent him a message after his move to Man United was confirmed, while the former Sporting boss detailed the influence that the experienced head coach had on other Portuguese managers.
"He sent me a message and told me that this is a lovely club, a big club, with lovely people – and that is correct. It still is," Amorim told reporters when questioned on Mourinho.
However, the new Man United head coach was keen to stress that he is "a different guy in a different moment".
"But a lot of things change and we are in a different building now; we are building a new one, and I am a different guy. I was learning at the time and I hope to now teach something here too, to my players. But the club is still big and is still the best club in England, and we want to win again, that is all," he added.
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Amorim: 'Mourinho an inspiration to Portuguese coaches'
"The first thing, not just me, but with all the Portuguese coaches, it showed that we can be the best in the world.
"This is something different in a small country; this can [help] put a stamp on everybody. But I am different from [Jose] Mourinho, I am different person. But I do remember that time. In that time, you looked at Mourinho and you felt he can win everywhere. It is not the same thing; he was a European champion and I am not a European champion.
"But I am different guy in a different moment. Football nowadays is different and I think I am the right person for this moment, because I am young guy and I understand the players, so I try to use that to help my players like Mourinho did in that era and what he did at Chelsea.
"If you remember, the young guys were like [Frank] Lampard and these kind of players. Nowadays, it is so much more different. So I think I am the right guy for this moment."
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When will Amorim first take charge of Man United?
Amorim's first taste of Premier League football will come on Sunday afternoon, when he takes his Man United team to Portman Road to tackle Ipswich Town.
The Red Devils, despite their problems this season, are only four points off third spot in the Premier League table, with their next two in the league coming against Ipswich and Everton.
Amorim's first European match in charge of the 20-time English champions will be against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on November 28, while early December brings a mouthwatering contest away to Arsenal.
Matt Law
