When you think of Ruben Amorim, the first thing that likely comes to mind is his impressive managerial journey—turning Sporting CP into a powerhouse after two decades without a domestic league title. However, there’s much more to this football mastermind than his tactical acumen. Beyond his success on the pitch, Amorim is someone with diverse interests and hobbies that shape his persona. These insights were revealed in a recent interview during Sky Sports’ Saturday Social segment. Let’s take a deeper dive into the off-field life of the man who is now making his mark at Manchester United.
Peaky Blinders: Amorim’s Source of Inspiration
On Saturday Social of SkySports, when asked about his favorite TV show, Amorim was quick to champion Peaky Blinders. “If someone doesn’t like Peaky Blinders, I don’t understand them,” he joked. The drama, centered on the Shelby family’s resilience and grit, resonates with the coach, who has built his career on similar values. Amorim, randomly but funnily enough, mentioned that his favourite movie was “Braveheart” for its storytelling on freedom, spirit, and much more!
However, just as the Shelby brothers—Arthur, John, and their loyal companions—are crucial to Thomas’s empire, Amorim’s success at Sporting was similarly driven by his trusted lieutenants, like assistant Carlos Fernandes, main striker Viktor Gyökeres, and the rock-solid defender, Ousmane Diomandé.
Amorim’s ability to turn around Sporting CP’s fortunes can be compared to Tommy Shelby’s leadership qualities: vision, determination, and a strong sense of loyalty to his team. Just like the Shelby family united to build their empire, Amorim brought together a group of talented but unproven players at Sporting and led them to two league titles and two domestic cups in just a few years. The sense of unity and purpose in Peaky Blinders reflects Amorim’s coaching philosophy, where every player has a role to play in achieving collective success. This was also reiterated by Amorim in his initial press conference as United manager, where he mentioned he wants his players to unite and have “one” unanimous idea on the pitch, no matter the position of the ball or the position of the player himself.
His admiration for the show isn’t just about its storytelling but its parallels to the demanding world of football management and especially in the world of managing a global juggernaut like Manchester United. But, apart from his admiration and love for peaky blinders, the Manchester United manager in this interview also delved deep into his personal life, family, hobbies, past career choices and interests as well. So, let’s unravel the things that keep the Portuguese manager sane amidst all the pressure of managing the expectations of an enormous club like United.
Banter, Jean Shorts, and TV Punditry: Amorim’s initial phase of career exploration
Before Amorim took over as Sporting’s head coach, like many retired footballers who explore different avenues for the next part of their career, he ventured into a bit of TV punditry. Amorim tried his hand at punditry during a phase when he was still contemplating life after his playing career and was asked about this in the interview. Funnily enough, he described the situation with humor, and let’s just say we are all lucky that he became a professional manager instead. For context, this is the infamous episode where he was wearing jeans shorts in a football show on TV. Amorim, when asked about this in the interview, said it was done to throw a dig at Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Amorim, along with fellow pundit Bruno Fernandes, decided to poke fun at Bruno’s (at the time he was at sporting) wardrobe mishap. Bruno had shown up at a tennis facility wearing jean shorts, only to be turned away and told to come back in proper trousers. In the spirit of humor and good-natured banter, Amorim and his fellow pundits on TVI, a popular Portuguese sports channel, wore those shorts in solidarity and banter, much to the amusement of viewers. This phase of his career wasn’t just about football—it was about exploring different sides of his personality and venturing into the world of sports media, something many footballers do after retiring.
A Family Man and Aspiring Chef
In the interview, further Amorim mentioned that despite his demanding career, he makes time for his family. In his free moments, he loves spending time with his children, sharing stories, and creating memories. While he modestly claims not to be an exceptional cook, he proudly prepares simple, healthy dishes—salads, rice, and even baby food for his kids. This habit reflects not just his dedication to family but also his commitment to health and fitness. Amorim is married to Maria Joao Diogo, who is an interior designer by profession. They tied the knot in 2013 and have 2 kids with whom Amorim loves to spend time.
Fitness First: The 10% Rule
Amorim humorously admits in the interview further that football occupies 90% of his life, leaving just 10% for hobbies. In that sliver of free time, he’s often found at the gym. “I’m trying to save my marriage,” he joked, referring to his efforts to stay fit and prevent his belly from growing.
His fitness routine, coupled with his healthy cooking habits, underscores a balanced lifestyle that keeps him energetic and focused—both on and off the pitch. He has also been seen doing some cardio with boxing in the past on social media, along with other fun exercise-related sports. Despite him being a limited footballer in terms of talent (which he himself has admitted), Amorim has always had immense physicality and has always strived to remain in shape both as a player in the past and as a manager in the present.
A Multifaceted Manager
Rúben Amorim isn’t just a football tactician; he’s a storyteller, a motivator, and someone who finds inspiration in unexpected places. Whether it’s learning from Tommy Shelby’s calculated moves, channeling William Wallace’s bravery, sharing a laugh on TV, or bonding with his kids, Amorim’s interests off the field paint a vivid picture of a man who values both ambition and humanity. As fans look forward to what he’ll achieve at Old Trafford, one thing is certain—this is a manager who knows how to balance intensity with a touch of humor and heart.
