Manchester United were linked with Gareth Southgate before eventually appointing Ruben Amorim last year.
It was Omar Berrada who pushed for Ruben Amorim to become the next Manchester United head coach after Erik ten Hag was sacked.
But the Portuguese wasn’t always at the top of Ineos’ list. Reports suggested that Sir Jim Ratcliffe wanted Gareth Southgate, while Sir Dave Brailsford also pushed for the former England boss.
Ruben Amorim celebrated one full year in charge of the club on the same day as United’s 2-2 draw with Forest in the Premier League. Despite a rocky start to his time in Manchester, he retains the full backing of Ratcliffe and Ineos.
Southgate was again linked to United earlier this season when Amorim was under pressure, but David Ornstein quickly made it clear that Ineos wants to stick with Amorim.
Gareth Southgate opens up on Man United job
After stepping down as England boss, Southgate ruled himself out of managing United as he insisted he wanted to take at least a year-long break.
Recently, Gareth Southgate spoke to The Sports Agents and was asked about whether or not he would want the United job.
“The first thing is they’ve got a manager who seems to be doing pretty well at the moment. But yeah, I’ve had 37-odd years in football. It’s been an amazing experience and if you told me as a 15-year-old that’s what would happen, then I’d have been absolutely delighted.
“But there’s other things in life. And having had the job I just had, where it was for my country, there was a bigger purpose than just the football. That’s really hard to replicate.
“Working with young people as part of what I do now, it doesn’t mean I’ve got ambitions to perhaps grow a business or work on leadership and other areas as well. But definitely there’s something in me to work around young people, perhaps because I’ve been working with that sort of age group as well recently, and I can see that there is a chance to make a difference and to give groups belief and to unite people a bit more.”
Ruben Amorim is repaying faith in Ineos
Even after a poor start to the current season, Ratcliffe publicly supported Amorim and explained that he wants to give the Portuguese head coach at least three years in charge.
Amorim has a long-term project with United. Over the summer he said he would be happy to stay another 20 years.
Supporters are now starting to see progress regarding Amorim’s style of play, but he wouldn’t have had the chance to reach this stage if Ineos pulled the trigger and sacked him last season.
READ MORE: Erik ten Hag linked with Premier League move, he could even face Ruben Amorim next month
Amorim deserves credit for sticking to his philosophy despite facing pressure from all angles to rip up his plans and try something else.
Ineos took a big risk appointing Amorim over other proven managers, but it is a decision they might look back on very fondly.
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