Ruben Amorim began his reign as Manchester United’s new head coach on Monday by showing interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy the door.
Amorim touched down from Portugal with his coaching staff around 2pm and was whisked straight to United’s training base at Carrington where he was greeted by senior executives.
A short while later, the club confirmed that former United striker Van Nistelrooy, who returned to Old Trafford in the summer as Erik ten Hag’s assistant, was leaving. The Dutchman was keen to stay after an unbeaten four-game spell as caretaker since Ten Hag was sacked.
Rene Hake, Ten Hag’s other No.2, goalkeeper coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar and performance analyst Pieter Morel have also been axed to make way for Amorim’s team.
A club statement read: ‘Manchester United can confirm that Ruud van Nistelrooy has left the club.
Manchester United have confirmed that Ruud Van Nistelrooy has departed the club
United head coach Ruben Amorim (left) decided against keeping Van Nistelrooy as assistant
Van Nistelrooy oversaw a four-match unbeaten run during his spell as interim head coach
‘Ruud is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. We are grateful for his contribution and the way in which he has approached his role throughout his time with the club. He will always be very welcome at Old Trafford.’
After taking charge of his last game as Sporting Lisbon boss in Sunday’s win over Braga, Amorim and his five staff – assistants Carlos Fernandes, Adelio Candido and Emanuel Ferro as well as goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital and sports scientist Paulo Barreira – boarded the three-hour flight from Beja to Manchester at around 11am.
The Portuguese entourage left the airport in a chauffeur-driven Mercedes people carrier that took them straight to Carrington where they were met by United chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox.
Amorim, dressed casually in jeans and a hooded top, joked with Berrada about the English weather before warmly embracing the three men.
Van Nistelrooy shared an emotional farewell with United supporters at Old Trafford on Sunday
Amorim has instead decided to bring his own backroom team with him from Sporting Lisbon
The 39-year-old was given a guided tour of the first-team facilities – which have moved to the women’s and academy building this season while the training ground undergoes a £50million upgrade – and was seen on a club video being introduced to staff in the offices and canteen.
Amorim can’t officially start his new £6.5m-a-year job until he has a work permit, although that is expected to be processed in the next couple of days.
Most of the players are on international duty and won’t be back until the middle of next week to prepare for his first game away to Ipswich on November 24.
