The bridge between Ruben Amorim and Ineos is now broken entirely, and walking back on promises couldn’t have helped.
Ever since the Wolves game, Ruben Amorim cut a frustrated figure in his public appearances, staying tight-lipped on the subject of transfers.
He then followed it up with an explosive outburst about people mistaking his role for a “head coach”, when he is a “manager”.
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Something was clearly not right between Ineos and Amorim, and the latter’s explosive stance can be seen from the fact that he has already challenged Ineos by breaking a promise he made last year.
Ruben Amorim made a promise last season
Amorim retained the backing of Man Utd fans throughout the most unsuccessful period in the club’s Premier League history because of his honesty.
Fans found it refreshing, especially his understanding of his own shortcomings, a sentiment that makes the fans feel heard.
In the process, he was also prone to making some tall claims that don’t go down well with many, and he made one such promise last season.
After losing the Europa League final last season, Amorim came out fighting, and directly said that he’ll “go in the next day without compensation” if the board feel he is not the right guy.
That is as bold a claim as it gets, as he asked for “faith” in the future of the club, effectively asking the fans to back a hypothetical.
More than halfway into the new season, that hypothetical is far removed from the reality that was promised, and in the process, Amorim’s promise seems broken, too.
Ruben Amorim has challenged Ineos
After the Europa League final, Amorim did say that he would walk without compensation, but he won’t quit, which is what he said after the Leeds game as well.
However, the underlying message was much different.
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“I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the head coach.
“I know my name is not Conte, Tuchel, Mourinho but I’m the manager of Manchester United. It’s going to be like this for 18 months or until the board decide to change.
“I’m not going to quit. I’ll do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me.
Ruben Amorim
The message last season came as a defiant gesture to incite faith and confidence, but the comments after Leeds were inflammatory, challenging Ineos to back him or sack him.
There were no grandstand talks of ethics and how he would walk without compensation, as he said back then.
Instead, there was a loud proclamation that he won’t quit, and Ineos will have to replace him either now or at the end of his contract in 18 months.
Ineos, for their part, wanted to work with him to make sure he’s the right guy, be it through talks about the game model, or convincing him about the long term.
Instead of appreciating that backing, he went all scorched earth at not being given unilateral power to make decisions.
Even Sir Alex Ferguson had to get sign-offs from David Gill and the Glazers for deals. For Amorim to act like he’s been wronged and United are stuck with him if they don’t back him is some talk for a manager with less than 15 league wins in a calendar year.
It ultimately ended exactly the way many expected. His threat of “back me or sack me” was not a threat after all, it was an invitation.
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