Jamie Carragher explains why Liverpool didn't appoint new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim

11/01/2024 07:58 AM

Jamie Carragher has explained why Liverpool did not appoint new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim to replace Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp announced at the start of the year that he would be stepping down as Liverpool manager at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Former Liverpool boss Xabi Alonso emerged as the top candidate to replace Klopp, who ended the club’s long wait for a Premier League title and also won the Champions League during his successful spell on Merseyside.

Once Alonso committed his future to Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool began to look elsewhere for managerial targets and were linked with both Amorim and Arne Slot before opting for the latter.

The decision appears to be a wise one as Liverpool have enjoyed an impressive start to the season, taking 22 points from nine league games to sit second in the Premier League and occupying the same spot in the Champions League with three wins from three.

Carragher has been hugely impressed by Liverpool’s form under Slot but is also an admirer of Amorim and believes his style of play and tactical preference was the only reason he was out of the running for the Anfield job.

After days of speculation, Amorim was finally confirmed as Manchester United’s new manager on Friday, though he will not leave Sporting Lisbon or take charge of the Red Devils until November 11.

‘Ruben Amorim is one of the current generations of coaches who play three centre-halves – Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso and Inter Milan's Simone Inzaghi are the same,’ Carragher told The Telegraph.

‘My suspicion is that one of the reasons Liverpool favoured Slot over Amorim last summer is because the Dutchman prefers the more traditional four at the back, so the transition was easier for the squad he inherited.

‘Under Jurgen Klopp, the style of the first team was mirrored down to academy level to ensure those who made the step up were familiar with the playing patterns.

‘Did Ashworth and Wilcox consider the change in style from Ten Hag to Amorim a potential problem at United?

‘Or have they reached a point where it had to be a secondary concern as they want to give the right man a blank canvas to start afresh, regardless of the profile of players at his immediate disposal?

‘On the positive side, critics argued with some justification it was never entirely clear what Ten Hag's style was supposed to be, so, however Amorim chooses to play, it will be distinguishable.

‘Aside from the coaching talent, you need a strong personality to thrive at a club such as United – the capacity to impose authority in an environment where the players are increasingly listening to the voices of their representatives or "entourage" as much as the management staff.

‘Whenever a new manager takes over a failing side, it is a common response to anticipate a mass clear-out – as if the squad is lined up like a firing squad awaiting to see who survives the cut.

‘That is always a huge over-reaction. Nothing is ever that bad at a club of United's stature, so forget any idea of eight or nine of the current preferred starting XI being dumped at the earliest opportunity. That rarely needs to happen for an instant uplift.’

Announcing Amorim as their new manager, Manchester United said in a statement: ‘We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ruben Amorim, subject to work visa requirements.

‘He will join until June 2027 with a club option of an additional year, once he has fulfilled his obligations to his current club. He will join Manchester United on Monday 11 November.

‘Ruben is one of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football.

‘Highly decorated as both a player and coach, his titles include winning the Primeira Liga twice in Portugal with Sporting CP; the first of which was the club's first title in 19 years.

‘Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue to take charge of the team until Ruben joins.’

Manchester United beat Leicester City 5-2 in the Carabao Cup in their first game since Ten Hag’s sacking and return to Premier League action on Sunday against Chelsea.

Interim boss Van Nistelrooy will be in charge for that game plus next weekend’s Premier League fixture against Leicester and a Europa League game against PAOK before Amorim takes over.

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