Ruben Amorim is already implementing significant changes at Manchester United following his appointment as head coach, with one of Erik ten Hag’s most trusted assistants losing his primary responsibility.
Amorim took over from Ten Hag during the international break and brought five members of his coaching staff from Sporting Lisbon. In a move that signals a break from the previous regime, Ten Hag has let go of several of his assistants, including Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rene Hake, Jelle ten Rouwelaar, and Pieter Morel. The only surviving members of Ten Hag’s backroom team are first-team coaches Darren Fletcher and Andreas Georgson, as well as assistant first-team goalkeeper coach Craig Mawson.
Amorim’s managerial debut came on Sunday with a frustrating 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town. He will face his second match at Old Trafford on Thursday, with Bodo/Glimt visiting for a Europa League encounter. Even in his early games, it’s clear that Amorim is making key decisions that mark a departure from Ten Hag’s methods.
According to the Daily Mail, Amorim has already made a significant adjustment by reassigning set-piece duties that Georgson previously managed. The Swedish coach, who oversaw free-kicks and corners under Ten Hag, handed these responsibilities to newly appointed assistants Carlos Fernandes and Adelio Candido for the Ipswich match. Fernandes actively instructed players during set-piece situations, both offensively and defensively, while Georgson’s role appeared to shift, with his primary task at Portman Road being to check the status of VAR following a disruption caused by a fire drill at Stockley Park.
While Amorim has not yet clarified the exact roles for Fletcher and Georgson under his management, United has emphasized that both coaches remain integral members of the first-team staff.
Amorim expressed frustration after the Ipswich match, where his team dropped points against a struggling side. Reflecting on the challenges of integrating new ideas, he acknowledged the difficulties his players face in adapting to his tactical philosophy in such a short time frame.
“They are overthinking because everything feels so different,” Amorim said. “Some details, they used to pass the ball and go forwards and now they have to go back. These types of things, they have to think too much.”
He continued, outlining the path forward for his team: “We have two options: we forget about the new ideas and try to cope with what they are used to doing, or we start now, risk a little bit, suffer a bit, and next year we will be better.”
As Amorim continues to implement his vision at Manchester United, the coming weeks will likely reveal more about how the new boss plans to reshape the team and further distance himself from the Ten Hag era.
