Jamie Carragher backed Ruben Amorim to succeed at Manchester United due to his "aura and personality" which is different from a "polite" Erik ten Hag.
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Amorim replaced Ten Hag after a poor run of form Manager to make his bow against Ipswich TownCarragher believes Amorim can turn things around at OT Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Despite inheriting a team languishing in 13th place in the Premier League, Carragher believes Amorim's charisma and leadership style could provide the spark United desperately need.
The Liverpool legend opined that managing a club of United's stature demands more than tactical brilliance – a magnetic personality capable of inspiring players which Ten Hag did not have.
AdvertisementGetty WHAT CARRAGHER SAID
In his column for , Carragher wrote: "First impressions count and Amorim is ticking the right boxes before the first ball is kicked. Obviously, he will be judged on Manchester United’s results, but managing a club of such stature demands more than top-class coaching ability.
"The most successful have an aura and personality. Only those working in the same environment can offer a first-hand account of how the manager operates behind the scenes, but for those of us on the outside looking in, perceptions matter. Without dwelling too much on United’s recent past, this was a red flag against Ten Hag from day one. Two games into his reign, Gary Neville and I had the pleasure of interviewing Ten Hag at United’s training ground. He was a polite guy but there was no sense of an x-factor."
He added: "Driving away from the meeting that day, I turned to Gary and said: 'He must be a supercoach because there isn’t much charisma.' These reservations were based on having enjoyed the privilege of working under, or speaking to, some of the greatest managers of our generation. The best can charm an audience, whether that is speaking to one or two reporters, 75,000 spectators, or 24 talented and highly confident young footballers who will turn up for the first training session thinking: 'Go on then, inspire me!' Ten Hag never convinced anyone he had that spark."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Carragher likened Amorim’s personality to that of legendary managers like Sir Alex Ferguson, José Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, and Jurgen Klopp, all of whom have left lasting legacies in football. The former defender hopes that the Portuguese will restore the lost sense of pride and identity to a club steeped in history with a positive string of results that will instill confidence among the players.
"In the Premier League era, we will always remember Jose Mourinho brashly declaring himself 'the Special One' to take on and beat Sir Alex Ferguson, Pep Guardiola guaranteeing every listener craves his tactical insights, or Jurgen Klopp prepared to speak with authority about any subject," he said.
"A Manchester United manager must carry the same gravitas, and although he has only given one media interview to his club’s website since being appointed, if I was a supporter I would already believe Amorim’s character will be vastly different from his predecessor.
"One moment in Amorim’s unveiling stood out. When given the opportunity to appeal for time to impose his vision for the side, he declined. 'Day one we will start with our identity. I think you will see an idea. You could like it or not, I don’t know, but you will see an idea. You will see a positioning. You will see something that we want to reach. You will feel that. This, I can guarantee.' These are the words you expect from elite coaches."
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR AMORIM?
Amorim's first game in charge comes this Sunday when Manchester United travel to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town. The fixture represents an opportunity for the Portuguese tactician to make a statement and set the tone for his tenure. Following the Ipswich clash, United will host Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, rounding off a critical month as Amorim begins to shape his vision for the team.
