Former Teammate Reveals Shock at ‘Changing Room Clown’ Becoming Premier League Manager
When Roderick Miranda heard his old Benfica teammate Ruben Amorim had been appointed Manchester United manager, the Melbourne Victory defender nearly fell off his chair. Not because he doubted Amorim’s ability – but because he remembered him as football’s answer to a stand-up comedian.
“I never thought he’d become a coach!” Miranda confessed to Flashscore Australia, still sounding bemused. “Not because he lacked football brains, but because he was the changing room clown – always pulling pranks, always making us laugh.“
The revelation comes amid a turbulent start to Amorim’s Old Trafford reign. Hailed as Erik ten Hag’s successor last November after United’s dismal early season form, the 39-year-old Portuguese tactician has somehow overseen an even worse slump – with the Red Devils currently languishing in 13th place.
From Jokes to the Hot Seat
Miranda, who played alongside Amorim at Benfica before his own Premier League stint with Wolves, recalls a very different character to the intense figure now prowling United’s technical area:
“When I heard he’d become a coach, I wondered how the guy who used to hide our boots or imitate our manager’s team talks could turn so serious.“
Yet the Australian-based defender suspects Amorim’s versatility as a player – capable in multiple positions – secretly laid the groundwork for his coaching success: “He had this incredible football IQ. Maybe that’s why he’s brilliant now – he understood every angle of the game.“
Ratcliffe’s Rollercoaster
United’s hierarchy, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, have endured sleepless nights as Amorim’s high-pressing philosophy initially caused more chaos than cohesion. Early sack rumors swirled after humiliating defeats, but the board has reportedly doubled down on their man.
Miranda isn’t surprised his former teammate is weathering the storm: “Ruben always had this… magnetic energy. Even when he was joking around, players listened.“
The interview took an intriguing turn as Miranda compared Amorim to another of his former managers – Nottingham Forest’s Nuno Espírito Santo: “Nuno proved at Wolves he could overachieve with the right group. Ruben’s the same – give him time and the right players, and United will rise.“
As United fans debate whether their manager is a tactical genius or just the latest expensive mistake, one thing’s certain: nobody saw this career arc coming for football’s former class clown.
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