Ruben Amorim (40), the manager of Manchester United (Man U), expressed his determination for the UEFA Europa League (UEL) final against Tottenham.
Amorim's Man U will challenge for the championship against Tottenham, led by captain Son Heung-min, in the 2024-2025 UEL final, which will take place on the 22nd at 4 a.m. KST at Estadio San Mames in Bilbao, Spain.
In an interview with UEFA on the 20th, Amorim noted about the match against Tottenham, "We must win a match like this. If we lose, we gain nothing. Only sadness remains."
Amorim was appointed to Man U last November as the successor to Erik ten Hag. Despite struggling in the Premier League, Amorim displayed leadership by leading Man U to the final of the Europa League.
Now, Amorim's Man U will clash with Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham not only for the championship but also for a spot in the UEFA Champions League next season.
Amorim stated, "Regardless of the outcome, the experience of facing Tottenham during the season will be a great help in this preparation. I can provide a lot of information to the players. However, it will be a really tough match. We cannot win merely based on physical strength."
He continued, "For example, Real Sociedad was a team with excellent technical skills and very dynamic, but we were able to compete with stronger physicality. This time, we do not have that advantage, but we will prepare well," revealing his determination for the match against Tottenham.
Amorim explained the significance of winning the Europa League, stating, "This victory will hold great meaning for the fans. By 'fans,' I mean Man U supporters. They need this victory right now." He added, "If we win, the perception of the manager will also change. Above all, there will be the reward of advancing to the Champions League."
He also discussed his experience in the 2014 Europa League final with Benfica, saying, "It was a special memory to have played then, but I don’t remember well what I did in the match. We lost that match to Sevilla in a penalty shootout, and nothing remained for me." He emphasized, "I do not want to say that I played in the final. A final only has meaning if you win. Losing leaves nothing but sadness."
Amorim claimed, "I try to be fair. I do not intentionally create conflicts, but I also do not shy away from them. That's just who I am. I am direct, and I try to take a lot from the coaching style of the manager I liked during my playing days. The most important thing among those is honesty."
He added, "To run a club of this size, you have to make difficult decisions. There is no one to make them for you." He noted, "Therefore, you must make decisions directly and be able to explain that process clearly."
Amorim described himself, stating, "I try to find a consolidation with the players. Without a connection between people, there is nothing. I do not only treat players coldly. When I leave the field, I become a different person and help them. I can be a kind of friend."
He continued, "But once the work starts, it’s completely different. Emotions do not interfere in making cold decisions." He added, "If necessary, I can exclude a player or send someone away from the team. Honesty is the most important thing." revealing his philosophy on managing the squad.
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