Ruben Amorim faced the press for the first time as Manchester United manager on Friday as he looked to make a good first impression ahead of the weekend’s trip to Ipswich.
There was one quote from the press conference that stood out. “Call me naive, but I truly believe that I’m the right guy in the right moment,” he said about the United job.
“I could be wrong, but the earth will still turn, the sun will rise again, it doesn’t matter. I truly believe that I’m the right guy for this job. “
It’s the self-confidence needed to be United manager, and to be successful at the club. The comments have shades of someone else not short on self belief in Jose Mourinho.
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Back in 2004, in his first press conference as Chelsea manager, the Portuguese coach famously said: “Please don’t call me arrogant, but I’m European champion and I think I’m a special one.”
After saying that, he went on to win three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and three League cups with the Blues over two spells. During his time at Manchester United, the club lifted the Europa League and the League Cup.
Owing to their nationality, there has already been comparisons between Amorim and Mourinho. The self belief on show at the new United boss’ first press conference will only heighten that.
Amorim has however brushed off the comparisons. “I’m different from Mourinho, I’m a different person but I remember that time,” he said. “You look at Mourinho and you felt he can win everywhere. It’s not the same thing, he was European champion, I’m not European champion!
“But I’m a different guy in a different moment, football nowadays is different and I think I am the right person in this moment.
“I am a young guy, I understand the players, so I try to use that to help my players like Mourinho did in that era at Chelsea. If you remember the young guys like [Frank] Lampard, these kinds of players, nowadays it’s so much different and I think I am the right guy in this moment.”
He did however reveal the message he received from Mourinho after taking the United job. “He sent me a message, it’s a big club with lovely people, and he’s correct, it still is,” he said.
“We’re building a new club. I’m a different guy.
“I hope to teach something different to my players. It’s the best club in England. We want to win, that’s all.”
Despite him backing away from the comparisons with Mourinho, it’s easy to see why they have, and will continue to be made. United will be hoping that Amorim is just as successful with them as Mourinho was when he came to the Premier League, if he is, then he will prove his claim that he is the ‘right’ one for the job.
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