Ruben Amorim Biography: Net Worth, Salary, Family, Lifestyle and Career Stats

Manchester United handed over the command of their sinking ship to Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese manager was announced their manager on Friday, November 1, after the Red Devils sacked Erik ten Hag on Monday, October 28. United paid Amorim’s €10 million release clause. The 39-year-old played as a midfielder in the Portuguese and Qatar leagues before taking up the role of a manager in 2018. 

Amorim played for Benfica, Belenenses, and Braga at club level. He also represented Portugal’s U18, U19, U20, U21, and senior teams. After hanging his boots, Ruben debuted as a manager in the 2018-19 season. He went on to coach Braga B, Braga, and Sporting CP before stepping into the English Premier League. Ruben Amorim will officially begin his managerial career with Manchester United on Monday, November 11. All eyes will be on the former midfielder who is set to take charge from Ruud Van Nistelrooy, the interim United manager. 

Ruben Amorim Bio

Ruben Amorim’s Playing Career

Ruben Amorim won multiple major titles before turning to the sidelines. He started his youth career at Clube Atletico Cultural at the age of 13. A couple of years later, he moved to Benfica before joining Belenenses in the next season. 

Amorim donned the Belenenses colors for his first-ever senior career game on December 14, 2003. However, his debut was shorter than expected, as the midfielder played only over a minute. His side had already sealed a 2-0 victory against Alverca. The Portuguese registered only 19 appearances in the first two seasons in the Premeira Liga. 

Things changed for the better in the 2005-06 season as Ruben became a starter for Belenenses. He went on to earn 106 caps for the club and scored five goals. Fans saw him play for a whopping 2,491 minutes in his final season with the club. 

In April 2008, Amorim signed a four-year deal with Benfica. He won his first major title in his first season at the Portuguese club. Benfica brought home Taca da Liga in March 2009. The club won the Premeira Liga and the League Cup the following season. He had a rough phase from 2011 to 2013. He got his knees operated and was sidelined for months. Ruben was sent to Braga on loan in 2012. 

Ruben Amorim earned his identity back by playing a crucial role in Benfica’s treble-winning season. He played 37 games for the club as they won the league, Taca de Portugal, and Taca de Liga. Benfica came on top against Rio Ave to win the Supertaca Candido de Oliveira, their fourth title in 2014. The Lisbon-born clinched ten trophies, namely three league titles, five Tacas da Liga, one Supertaca Candido de Oliveira, and one Taca de Portugal. 

Amorim suffered an injury in August 2014 and couldn’t start a game until February. Benfica lost the domestic League Cup semi-finals upon his return. He said goodbye to Benfica fans in August 2014, signing a year-long deal with Qatari club Al Wakrah. He bid farewell to the football pitch on April 4, 2017. 

Ruben Amorim’s International Career

Ruben Amorim represented his nation on the international stage in two FIFA World Cups. He was a backup reserve in the 2010 edition. The then 25-year-old was added to the squad following Nani’s injury. He debuted for Portugal on June 15 in the game against Ivory Coast. He also made it to the 2014 World Cup squad. Despite winning the last group game, Amorim’s team was knocked out of the tournament on goal difference.

Ruben Amorim’s Coaching Career 

Interestingly, after his retirement, Ruben Amorim did a one-week internship under Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho during the 2018-19 season. He then joined the third division side of Casa Pia. It didn’t start well, as he lost his first two games. Amorim promised that he would leave the job if he lost another game. He tried a back-three formation and guided his side to an unbeaten run. 

In 2019, his side faced a six-point penalty, and Amorim earned a one-year ban for instructing at the required coaching level. The ban was withdrawn, but he resigned a while later. There were discussions about him coaching the club’s U23 side, but a deal was never closed. 

Braga crushed B SAD 7-1 in Amorim’s first game at the club. They got their hands on the domestic league cup final, ending a four-year trophy drought. Braga managed to defeat Benfica on their home soil for the first time in 65 years. They also made it to the pre-quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa League in 2019-20.

After taking charge as Sporting CP’s manager on March 4, 2020, Amorim ended another trophy drought, bringing Sporting’s first league title since 2002. Under him, they won three straight league cup finals and also made it to the RO16 of the UEFA Champions League. Last season, he won the Primeira Liga side’s second league championship in his reign. 

Ruben Amorim’s Tactics and Style of Play

Amorim likes playing with a defensive back three, the formation he used to win his first game with Casa Pia. He wants his wingbacks to contribute more to the attack. The players are told to keep interchanging positions, even allowing the defensive line to participate in the buildup. 

Ruben’s fancies dominating possession and his 3-4-3 or sometimes 3-4-2-1 formation allows him to hold the ball more. His tactics are a reflection of the work he has put in on the training ground. His defense often invites the opponents to press high, and his holding midfielders keep the ball and start the attack. He uses his wings backs as wingers and provides a decoy to the central striker with a double No.10. 

Ruben Amorim’s Achievements and Trophies

After leading Braga to Taca da Liga as a player, he did it all over again as a manager in 2019-20. Under him, Sporting CP won the Primeira Liga in 2020-21 and 2023-24. He also led the Portuguese club to Taca da Liga in 2020-21 and 2021-22. Seven years after winning it as a Benfica midfielder, Ruben won Supertaca Candido de Oliveira in 2021 with Sporting CP. 

Ruben was named the Primeira Liga’s Manager of the Month 8 times. He was the league’s best manager in 2021 and 2024. 

Ruben Amorim’s Family

Ruben was born to Virgilio Amorim and Anabela Francisco, but the couple parted ways when Ruben was only one year old. He has two cousins, David Simao and Bruno Simao, who play in the Portuguese league. 

Ruben Amorim’s Wife

Ruben Amorim tied the knot with Maria Joao Diogo. The pair is parents to one son. Maria has an interior design business and studied telecommunications engineering. Maria’s family has deep links in the football world. She is Antero Henrique’s sister-in-law, the guy behind Neymar’s €222 million transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. Her sister is the wife of Luis Filipe, a legendary footballer. 

Ruben Amorim’s Net Worth & Salary

According to The Sun, Ruben Amorim has a net worth of around £13 million. Most of his earnings come from his salary as a manager. United has also paid a £9.25 million release clause with an additional £1.4 million in commissions. He will reportedly make £6.5 million every year with the Red Devils.

Also Read: Who is Ruben Amorim? How can his tactics transform Man United?

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