Former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has been spotted enjoying a leisurely game of padel with his former colleague Hugo Viana in Portugal, as he continues to take a break from football following his dismissal from Old Trafford.
Amorim's Low-Profile Lifestyle Post-Sacking
The 41-year-old Portuguese coach has maintained a notably low profile since being sacked by Manchester United in January, after which he received a reported £12 million pay-off. His ill-fated 14-month tenure at the club ended following a disappointing 1-1 draw against Leeds, which was preceded by multiple disagreements with United's hierarchy.
Manchester United's Resurgence Under New Leadership
Since Amorim's departure, the Red Devils have shown significant improvement under his replacement, Michael Carrick. The team has won seven of their last ten matches, with Darren Fletcher serving as caretaker manager for two games prior to Carrick's appointment. Despite this upturn in form, Amorim appeared unfazed, smiling broadly after his padel match with Viana.
A Friendly Reunion in Lisbon
The pair, who are understood to be incredibly close from their time as teammates at Braga, were photographed playing in the sunshine at Padel Expo, a sports club in Lisbon. The club shared the image on social media with a playful caption that read: 'We tried to contact you to strengthen our coaching staff, but it wasn't to be this time! Thank you very much for your visit Ruben Amorim and Hugo Viana, it was a pleasure to have you at Padel Expo.'
Viana's Role and Their Shared History
Hugo Viana, who was the director of football that brought Amorim to Sporting Lisbon, became Manchester City's sporting director last April. The former Newcastle midfielder has since overseen a rebuild for Pep Guardiola's side, with signings such as Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo, and Marc Guehi arriving during his tenure. Together, Amorim and Viana won five trophies at Sporting, including two Portuguese titles.
Despite now working on opposite sides of the Manchester divide, the duo were known to spend time together even during Amorim's stint at Old Trafford. Their bond remains strong, as evidenced by this recent outing.
Amorim's Recent Public Appearances
This sighting in Lisbon follows Amorim's bizarre appearance at the Qatar Open last month, where he was seen watching Carlos Alcaraz's victory over Karen Khachanov. Television coverage unexpectedly panned to him during the final game of the third set, catching Sky Sports commentators by surprise. One remarked: 'Oh, it's Ruben Amorim,' while another added: 'He's got a bit of time on his hands these days. Enjoying the tennis, the former manager of Manchester United.'
Amorim looked relaxed during the broadcast, appearing to watch the match from a private area. His presence at such events highlights his current break from the pressures of football management.
Career Background and Future Prospects
Amorim, who previously managed Casa Pia, Braga, and Sporting Lisbon after retiring from playing at age 32, has been linked to several managerial positions since leaving Manchester United. However, he seems content to enjoy a hiatus from the game for now.
His time in Lisbon coincides with recent praise from former player Matheus Cunha, who expressed gratitude towards Amorim in an interview with DAZN. Cunha stated: 'I've always been very grateful for everything Ruben did. I think it's very easy, when things change, to see the past as only problems, but it's quite the opposite; he was an incredible person. Many new players came because of him, so I think he also plays a big part in the success we are having now.'
This endorsement underscores Amorim's lasting impact, even as he steps away from the spotlight to recharge and reconnect with old friends like Viana.
