As a fellow heart! José Mourinho sends a message to Rúben Amorim after being dismissed by Manchester United.
On 7 Jan 2026 GMT+7, José Mourinho, the experienced Portuguese coach, commented on Manchester United's decision to dismiss Rúben Amorim from his managerial position. He acknowledged that only Amorim truly understands why his journey with the "Red Devils" ended, just as Mourinho himself has faced similar circumstances.
Mourinho was asked by Portuguese media about his views on Amorim's dismissal, as a former Manchester United manager and compatriot. However, "The Special One" chose to respond thoughtfully, emphasizing that being dismissed is a personal matter that Amorim must reflect on himself.
"What happened to Rúben is something only Rúben can analyze. I believe he will be able to do so, along with his staff. Whether he chooses to speak to you and share his perspective, I do not know."
When asked if Amorim's dismissal would affect the reputation or job prospects of other Portuguese managers, Mourinho clearly disagreed with that notion. "I don't understand why it should be that way, but each coach must answer for themselves. For me, absolutely not. I don't feel that way."
Mourinho also took the opportunity to reflect on his own time at Manchester United. Despite leading the team to win the 2017 Europa League and finishing as Premier League runners-up, he ultimately could not hold the position long-term.
"I know well my career path with Manchester United and the reasons why I eventually left. But as I always do, or try to do, when I leave a club, I close the door without publicly commenting. I do not analyze what happened in public. One door closes, and another opens. That is what happened to me. The history is there, the numbers are there, the three trophies went home, and that's it."
After leaving Old Trafford, Mourinho has managed several major clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Roma, Fenerbahçe, and he is currently with Benfica.
Additionally, Mourinho viewed the club's continued confidence in Amorim despite poor results as a sign of internal change. "Today, with the new owners, and seeing what happened with Amorim—he had the worst Premier League season in history but still was trusted to continue, given confidence to proceed with his own identity and philosophy. I think that signals that many things are changing within the club."
"I think we all agree he is a coach with great potential and outstanding character. If given stability, I believe he has tremendous potential to do an excellent job with Manchester United."
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