Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim's fiery temperament was evident during his playing days in Qatar, where he often felt 'powerless' and 'upset' according to his former coach Mauricio Larriera.
The Qatar Experience: A Clash of Expectations
During the 2015/16 season, before his rise to management, Amorim spent a year with Al-Wakrah in the Qatar Stars League. Working under Uruguayan coach Mauricio Larriera, the then-midfielder's high standards and passion frequently led to frustrations on the training pitch and during matches.
Larriera recalled in an interview with O Jogo: "He always played very well, but unfortunately he was sent off in one game. No, in two. And he apologised to me for it. It's part of the game, but he was even more upset than me when things didn't work out. The impotence he felt overcame him."
The former coach detailed two specific sending-offs that highlighted Amorim's struggles. In one match, he received two yellow cards leading to a team defeat, while another dismissal resulted from a foul born from 'tiredness and impotence'.
Managing the Passion: A Two-Way Street
Training sessions became arenas for managing emotions, with Larriera revealing they'd frequently tell Amorim "Ruben, please don't get upset" while the player would sometimes reciprocate with "Mauricio, please don't get upset".
The cultural adjustment proved challenging for the Portuguese midfielder. "He didn't understand certain things, Qatar was in the process of growth," Larriera explained. "When he was angry, I'd hug him and say, 'Relax, Qatar is like that'. He'd tell me the same thing."
Despite making only 14 appearances and scoring two goals during his Qatar stint, Amorim's influence extended beyond the pitch. Larriera admitted the midfielder helped him "raise the level and quality of my training" and perform "highly complex exercises".
From Pitch to Dugout: The Making of a Manager
The pair developed a close bond, living in the same Four Seasons accommodation and sharing "mugs of black coffee and talked for hours". Larriera noted Amorim's keen interest in "all our plans, game plans, everything" though he "didn't realise he was thinking of becoming a coach".
Amorim retired from playing at just 32, shortly after his Qatar experience, and began his managerial career at Casa Pia in 2018. His rapid rise saw him win a Taca da Liga with Braga in 2019 before moving to Sporting CP where he secured two Primeira Liga titles and two Taca da Ligas.
Now at Manchester United, where he replaced Erik ten Hag in November last year, Amorim has faced significant challenges. His first season saw United achieve their worst-ever Premier League finish in 15th place with a win percentage below 40% - among the lowest of any permanent United manager since World War II.
The manager who once felt powerless in Qatar training sessions now navigates the immense pressure of Old Trafford, having only secured back-to-back wins for the first time earlier this season with the team currently sitting seventh.
