Ruben Amorim has dismissed comparisons with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United by insisting he’s ‘different’ to his compatriot.
Amorim has spoken to the media for the first time since he joined the Premier League giants as their new head coach.
His debut as United boss comes on Sunday away to Ipswich Town in the Premier League, with his new club currently 13th in the table.
Amorim is their sixth permanent appointment since the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013, with fellow icon Mourinho the third.
Mourinho delivered three trophies to Old Trafford and, as revealed on Friday, sent a message to his Portuguese compatriot.
“He sent me a message, it’s a big club, lovely club with lovely people, and he’s correct, it still is,” Amorim said. “We are building a new club.
“I am a different guy. I hope to teach something different here to my players. It’s the best club in England. We want to win, that’s all.”
United fans hopeful that Amorim can be as successful at the club as Mourinho was, with the 39-year-old still a young coaching prospect.
However, any potential comparisons that may be made between the two were cast aside in a box office press conference.
“First thing, for me and all the Portuguese coaches, he showed that we can be best in the world,” Amorim explained.
“For a small country, it can put a stamp on everybody. But I am different from Mourinho, I am a different person.
“At that time [when he joined Chelsea in 2004], it felt like he could win everywhere. It is not the same thing. He was a European champion [with Porto], I am not a European champion.
“I am a different guy in a different moment, football is in a different moment. Football nowadays is different. I am the right guy for this moment.
“I am a young guy and I understand the players. I will use that to help my players, like Mourinho did with Chelsea.
“The young guys were like [Frank] Lampard and these type of players. It is so different. I think I am the right guy for this moment.”
Rather than the ‘Special One’, the charismatic Amorim announced that he is the right one.
Amorim added: “Call me naive, but I truly believe I am the right guy in the right moment.
“I could be wrong but the world still will turn, the sun will rise again, I don’t worry about that. I truly believe I’m the right guy for this job.”
He added: “I’m a little bit of a dreamer, I believe in myself. I believe in the club, we have the same mindset.
“I truly believe in the players, I know you don’t believe a lot but I do. I want to try new things. You guys don’t think it’s possible, I do.”
Amorim, a former Portuguese international, had always coached in his home country before his appointment at United.
He first managed Casa Pia, before moving to Braga’s B team and then their senior side before eventually joining giants Sporting Lisbon.
The ex-midfielder won two Liga Portugal titles with the club as well as two Taca da Liga trophies across from 2020 until November.
Amorim was previously linked with the managerial jobs at Chelsea and Liverpool before moving to Old Trafford, as well as West Ham.
A tough opening run of five Premier League fixtures awaits him and kicks off on Sunday as United desperately seek three points at the start of their new era.
Amorim’s approach is certainly different to those that have gone before him, with his favoured 3-4-3 formation to debut on Sunday despite limited preparation time due to international commitments.
“As a coach, you have to choose one way or another,” he said. “I choose always 100 per cent our way. I prefer to risk a little bit but to push in the first moment.
“If they feel that since the first day that I believe so much in our way of playing, they will believe too. So, there is no second doubts, no second way. It’s one way and we are going to do it.
“We will adapt some players because we don’t have the right profile. This team was built for a different system.
“But it’s the same thing playing with five or four. The principles are the same. The positioning is a little bit different.
“Maybe on Sunday when you will see the list of players, the starting 11, you don’t feel a lot of change. But you will feel it in the game in the positioning, in the way they receive the ball or to cover the ball. You see some changes.”
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