So, beard is the new bald, and there's an enlightening profile of the five members of Amorim's coaching team he's bringing with him from Sporting on the Athletic today:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5932085/2024/11/20/ruben-amorim-man-united-coaching-staff/
The gist is:
- A very young group - mainly guys who went straight into coaching rather than ex-footballers, took degrees / further degrees, and are very smart. (The grandfatherly goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital stands out as an exception here.)
- Interpersonally they all sound very much like descriptions of Amorim himself: calm, friendly, emotionally intelligent.
- Lots of descriptions of how they get on very well as a group, spending hours together talking about football, and working in a very collegiate way where challenging each other's ideas / suggesting new solutions are welcome.
Key figures:
- Carlos Fernandes, assistant head coach. 30 years old, and has been coaching since he was 14 (!) when he was already involved in coaching Benfica youth development teams. Amorim's right-hand man for several years.
- Adelio Candido (28) was born in Angola like United legend Manucho. Apparently a strong tactical mind who sees the game differently to others. Graduated from an initial role as analyst to coaching. Usually watches matches from high in the stands and communicates insights to the bench. Challenges Amorim with new ideas - "they are always arguing".
- Emanuel Ferro (45) is supposedly as strong in communication, and building motivation and confidence, and integrating new players (whether from abroad or youth ranks) into the team. Clean shaven.
- Jorge Vital (63) is the veteran in the group. A Sporting colleague commented “He looks like a grandpa but he exudes this contagious energy out on the pitch. It’s amazing. You want to be exactly like him." Apparently doesn't have great English, so the retention of our assistant goalkeeping coach could be a good move.
- Paulo Barreira (42) is physical performance coach. Doesn't have a full beard but is reasonably hirsute. Has worked at Liverpool and Arsenal in the past, and while at the former completed a PhD.
- Eduardo Rosalino (39) analyst: quiet guy, embraces new technology, well spoken of, not much else to say. Google image search shows him variously bearded and clean-shaven, which is what you want from a data guy.
Beard is best
posted on 20/11/24
Frustrating how much I love this fckin club though that every new gaffer or new season I am fully thinking we are gonna be back!
This time it REALLY feels like it though. But long term.
posted on 20/11/24
I'm most interested in the GK coach. Can he get Onana to release the ball quicker?
posted on 20/11/24
Looks like you gone full Portuguese or have you still got some Brits kicking around to interpret the FFSs for them?
posted on 20/11/24
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 3 hours, 20 minutes ago
I'm deferring judgement about Amorim until I get to see what the Ipswich match thread has to say.
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I think it’s high time we had a separate Portuguese match thread.
posted on 20/11/24
Hope Alternative Comms will be using this, RR.
posted on 20/11/24
Good article, glad to get an overview of the good guys in charge for the next 12 months
posted on 20/11/24
comment by Onana_banana_fi_fa_fofana (U20611)
posted 4 hours, 10 minutes ago
I'm most interested in the GK coach. Can he get Onana to release the ball quicker?
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I wouldn't be surprised if Amorim likes to use the goalkeeper to bait the forward so spaces appear to play in behind.
posted on 21/11/24
I try not to get too excited, but there's something about this appointment that Feels Different™ this time!
—
People said the same about ETH
posted on 21/11/24
comment by Baz tard - Ineos your face (U19119)
posted 3 hours, 18 minutes ago
I try not to get too excited, but there's something about this appointment that Feels Different™ this time!
—
People said the same about ETH
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Obviously it's more than possible that ends in tears/boredom again. But are the stakes really that high that we shouldn't allow ourselves to dream a bit? I'd rather get excited about what might be and face disappointment in a year or two than greet the new manager and every little sign of progress with knowing gloom.
posted on 21/11/24
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
comment by Baz tard - Ineos your face (U19119)
posted 3 hours, 18 minutes ago
I try not to get too excited, but there's something about this appointment that Feels Different™ this time!
—
People said the same about ETH
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Obviously it's more than possible that ends in tears/boredom again. But are the stakes really that high that we shouldn't allow ourselves to dream a bit? I'd rather get excited about what might be and face disappointment in a year or two than greet the new manager and every little sign of progress with knowing gloom.
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Yeah that’s fair. I believe his record is eerily similar to ETH pre utd, so who knows what will happen