Ruben Amorim goes completely unnoticed by oblivious Manchester shoppers days after taking charge as Man Utd manager
NEW Red Devils’ boss Ruben Amorim is under a huge spotlight – but left Manchester shoppers in the dark.
Incredibly, the Portuguese manager went unnoticed as he strolled in the busy town centre.
The former Sporting Lisbon chief, 39, arrived in the city last week to huge attention, even giving his first interview.
He’s due to be officially unveiled next week, assuming his work permit goes through smoothly.
But despite Amorim‘s trademark beard, passers-by seemed oblivious as he walked smiling down a street.
His garb was striking enough – a white top with the hoodie up contrasting sharply with a black puffer jacket.
The 14-cap ex-midfielder was accompanied by a mini entourage, all dressed just as casually.
In fact, from the group’s relaxed look, you’d never know Amorim is taking on one of the world’s most prestigious and high-pressure positions in football.
He certainly won’t be a mystery shopper in the transfer market – as United‘s global status means he’ll struggle to land any bargains.
And he’ll promptly become one of the most recognisable faces in the country.
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So perhaps it’s no wonder he appeared to appreciate his temporary anonymity on a crowded Manchester pavement.
Amorim is replacing the sacked Erik ten Hag, tasked by the club’s minority owner Jim Ratcliffe with reviving the heady days of Sir Alex Ferguson‘s 1986-2013 reign.
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The Sporting Lisbon coach, 39, is reportedly closing in on a deal worth £8million to become Erik ten Hag’s successor.
Just hours after Ten Hag’s dismissed on Monday morning, it emerged Man Utd chiefs were in talks with Amorim as they zero in on the Sporting boss.
But the ex-Braga coach remained tight-lipped on negotiations when quizzed by the media.
He said: “I was already expecting this question [about Man Utd].
“Obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I’ll always have to comment.
“I’m very proud to be Sporting coach, that’s all.”
He’s pencilled in to oversee training for the first time next week – should, as expected, the necessary paperwork get sorted.
Based for now at the five-star Lowry Hotel near Old Trafford, Amorim is waiting anxiously to share his ideas with his new squad after the international break.
He’s already explained he wants his players to go on a morale-rousing stadium tour – to “put strength back into the team”.
Then come his first two matches – at Ipswich in the Premier League and at home to Bodo-Glimt in the Europa League.
By then, Amorim will have gone from “Man who?” to the man who can’t afford to fail – or he’ll inevitably be the 10th permanent or temporary boss exiting Old Trafford since Ferguson retired.