Amorim's Assistant Points Finger After Breaking Silence on Manchester United Frustration
Ruben Amorim's former assistant coach, Adelio Candido, has spoken publicly for the first time since the Portuguese manager's dismissal from Manchester United, revealing significant frustrations about their time at the club.
A Troubled Tenure at Old Trafford
Ruben Amorim was sacked in January after just fourteen months in charge at Manchester United, having arrived from Sporting Clube de Portugal in November 2024. His tenure proved to be the club's bleakest campaign in over half a century, failing to secure any silverware and suffering a defeat in the Europa League final against Tottenham.
Statistical records underline the dismal period, with Amorim registering the poorest win percentage at thirty-two percent, the worst goals conceded per match rate of one point five three, and the lowest clean sheet percentage of fifteen percent among all United managers in Premier League history.
Candido's Candid Reflections
Adelio Candido, who served as one of two assistants on Amorim's coaching team throughout the spell, has now broken his silence in an interview with The Ball. The twenty-nine-year-old, who supervised player warm-ups before matches, was asked about his experiences at United.
"Experience is always experience, whether the outcome is good or bad, we always come away with learning," Candido stated. "In Manchester, I really liked the city and the way the fans experience football, more focused on the project than on the immediate result."
However, he did not hold back on his criticisms, adding: "What I liked least was, without a doubt, feeling that our ideas weren't fully implemented."
Philosophical Clashes and Scrutiny
Amorim's tactical system, particularly his commitment to a three-four-three formation, became a constant topic of debate during his time at the club. Adjustments were only made following input from director of football Jason Wilcox, highlighting potential internal disagreements.
The youthful backroom team, including Candido, also faced scrutiny for their perceived lack of experience. When questioned about handling intense pressure, Candido remarked: "I think the fact that we were young helped us deal with the pressure. We always had a positive daily routine at work. With the existing pressure, it's normal for people to get more annoyed than usual in a technical team, and that wasn't the case for us."
Dealing with External Criticism
Candido further discussed how he managed the barrage of criticism that accompanied United's poor performances. "Honestly, I don't follow opinions outside of my work group," he explained. "Something always ends up coming through social media, but I really don't pay any attention to any of that."
The dismissal of Amorim followed a dramatic post-match media briefing after a Leeds United game at Elland Road, where the manager implied that other club personnel should focus on their own responsibilities. This incident underscored the tensions that ultimately led to his departure.
As Manchester United continues to rebuild, Candido's revelations shed light on the internal challenges that plagued Amorim's short-lived project, emphasizing a disconnect between the coaching staff's vision and its execution at one of football's most storied institutions.
