Rúben Amorim has said he doesn’t feel “the weight” of Manchester United‘s history as he prepares to start his reign as the club’s new head coach.
Amorim arrived in Manchester on Monday after being appointed as Erik ten Hag’s successor on a two-and-a-half year contract.
The 39-year-old and his staff are still awaiting their visas before formally starting work. But ahead of his first game in charge — set to be against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Nov. 24 — he has insisted he’s calm about the challenge ahead.
“I feel very relaxed,” Amorim told United’s in-house TV channel MUTV.
“Maybe because it’s not game day. When we have a game I’m a different guy. But I really don’t feel the weight. I’m really excited and I’m quite relaxed. I think I’m where I’m supposed to be. That’s the feeling.”
Amorim left Sporting CP to take the job following a successful stint in Portugal which saw him lift two Primeira Liga titles.
Sporting had not won the Portuguese title since 2002 when he won it for the first time in 2021. He’s facing a similar task at United, who have gone 11 years without winning the Premier League.
“You can feel the history,” said Amorim. “I’m really, really proud to be a Manchester United coach. It’s amazing, it’s a real honour.”