‘So focussed’ – Ruben Amorim did coaching badges with Gabby Agbonlahor and left lasting impression

Share this

Gabby Agbonlahor has opened up on the impression left on him by new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim when the pair did their coaching badges together.

And he believes the Red Devils may just have hit the jackpot with this appointment.

The new Man United boss already has the seal of approval from one talkSPORT pundit

United have confirmed that Amorim will become their new head coach, taking up the role from November 11.

He joins on a contract that lasts initially until June 2027, although with the option to add on an additional year.

Amorim leaves his role as manager of Primeira Liga club Sporting Lisbon where he has been since March 2020.

Having enjoyed a hugely successful spell out in Portugal, which has seen Sporting CP win two top-flight titles, two league cups and a Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira [equivalent of the Community Shield], he will now take on a new challenge.

But, according to talkSPORT pundit and Aston Villa legend Agbonlahor, from what he has seen of Amorim, he is more than up to the job.

“I did do my coaching badges with him,” admitted Agbonlahor.

“He was there and he was so into it – like, he just had to get his badges to then go and start managing.”

When asked by co-host Alan Brazil what exactly the coaching badge sessions has entailed, Agbonlahor had gone on to explain how Amorim’s attitude had stood out to him across the drills.

“You know what, mate?” he said. “It’s not as easy as people think. So my first session I put on was a crossing and finishing session, a kickball session, then a normal shooting session.

“So you get all the other players, then there’s some kids from Belfast academies that come over and you’ve done the sessions with them. But he was very focused.

Gabby pointed out just how impressive Amorim’s record at Sporting had been

Amorim has become a fan favourite in Portugal after ending an almost two-decade long wait for a title

“Since the start of last season, Sporting Lisbon have scored the most goals in the top six leagues, 129 goals. They were waiting 19 years to win a title. He goes there, he’s won two in the last five seasons, Amorim.

“Coached for only two months at Braga, before Sporting Lisbon went and paid €10million, which is the fourth biggest transfer fee for a manager.

“After Nagelsmann went to Bayern Munich from Leipzig for €25m, Graham Potter, Brighton to Chelsea, €23m. Villas-Boas, Porto to Chelsea, €15m – then Amorim from Braga to Sporting Lisbon, €10m.

“So I just think when you look at what he’s done since leaving Braga to Sporting Lisbon, then breaking that 19 years without winning a league title – I think Manchester United have got the right man.”

It is not the first time Agbonlahor has reflected on how much he was impressed by Amorim on that particular occasion.

Back in April this year when Liverpool were searching for a successor to Jurgen Klopp, Agbonlahor praised the idea of Amorim as a potential candidate too.

“He was one that was like, he was on it mate,” he had told Darren Bent on talkSPORT Drive. “Some people might have had a little laugh and joke on the course and stuff, he was on it.

“Concentrating in every meeting, all the theory part, when you did the coaching stuff on the pitch you could tell that he was on it.

“I’m sure that was like five years ago, he’s 39 now so he’s quite a young manager but I don’t see why not, he’s doing a great job at Sporting, isn’t he?”