Ruben Amorim warned by Jose Mourinho before Manchester United sacking

Manchester United’s managerial upheaval earlier this year marked another turning point in what has been a turbulent period at Old Trafford.

When Ruben Amorim was dismissed in January following his public comments about the club’s hierarchy and a run of inconsistent results, it brought an abrupt end to a tenure that promised much but ultimately failed to deliver sustained progress.

Despite reaching a UEFA Europa League final and overseeing moments of improvement, league form proved decisive in the club’s decision to part ways.

Yet, according to Manchester Evening News, Amorim had been warned about the scale of the challenge long before his departure.

Shortly after being appointed Manchester United head coach in November 2024, Amorim revealed that he received a private message from compatriot Jose Mourinho – himself a former Manchester United manager – outlining the magnitude of the task ahead.

Reflecting on that exchange during his first press conference, Amorim said:

“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. 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.

“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.”

Mourinho, who managed Manchester United between 2016 and 2018, was well placed to understand the pressures associated with the role.

Amorim had previously crossed paths with him during a coaching internship in 2018, forging a professional relationship that endured years later.

While optimism surrounded Amorim’s arrival from Sporting CP – where he won multiple domestic honours – expectations at Old Trafford quickly intensified.

United’s league struggles, combined with inconsistent performances, ultimately led to his dismissal despite being afforded time to rebuild.

In hindsight, Mourinho’s message appears almost prophetic.

The Portuguese veteran had publicly praised Amorim’s credentials but also acknowledged the scale of scrutiny that comes with leading one of Europe’s biggest institutions.

As the Red Devils continue to chart their course under Michael Carrick’s interim leadership, this episode serves as another reminder of the unique pressures attached to the dugout at Old Trafford – a challenge even the most promising coaches can find unforgiving.