Amorim: “Sorry for the decision, but I felt it was my time and my path” – I Liga

At the end of the match, and already in a press conference, Ruben Amorim said what was in his soul as he said goodbye in glory to Sporting and before heading to the enormous challenge called Manchester United.

What I told the players at half-time, and thank you for the attitude you demonstrated.

“First of all, I would like to thank you for the compliments and I would like to say again that you have always treated me with a lot of respect and that is also very important. It was a pleasure to deal with you. It was reciprocal. What happened is that there are things that cannot be explained. Maybe Vitorino, Coates, Neto entered the field. It seemed like they took the field in the 2nd half and it was much better than on Tuesday. That's what happened here in the last four years. He entered the field and there was no way I could lose this game. I was already a champion for my favorite club, but this moment was unbelievable. It had a very special meaning for me. Matheus Nunes. It had to be like this.”

See the best photos from the match

What your eyes said in these four and a half years: “It's difficult to summarize this at this moment. I appreciate the words. It was an incredible adventure. It always seemed like I had all the certainties, but at many stages I had some doubts. Many people helped me. I lived in a very special context. Difficult, when we arrived, but I know it will be difficult to reproduce what I have here elsewhere, but there are other places with different exposure and pressure. What I can say to the Sporting fans is thank you for some mistakes, stubbornness, but it was always thinking about the team. With a clear conscience, the team has always been in 1st place. I have to continue. In the next round we can achieve the best start ever and there is a lot to do”.

Twist: “Without a doubt. I felt that if we scored a goal, the team was fresher. I knew that as soon as we scored, we could turn things around. But until the first goal, I felt that we were very stagnant. With a lack of emotion, speed, maybe passion. These weeks were complicated. Mister Carvalhal was very important. I also wanted to thank President António Salvador, I don't think I ever did that.

I miss Hjulmand and the star for João Pereira: “We'll see about the successor, I don't know when the club will inform. I brought a lot of things, but I didn't bring everything. I left some things there that will be delivered later. I have confidence because I believe in the players. I know who the next coach is and I believe in him, I told the players that there are little things that will be different, but that the person who will be in my place has the same essence. The players have to be very humble, they will go through difficulties, they have to stick with each other. people know this too.

Most memorable moment: “There were all the parties, but this moment is one of the most memorable, if not the most memorable. It was telling everyone's story in 90 minutes and, in the end, it ended up going well. We didn't expect two wingers to play at the same time, it was a bet from Mister Carvalhal. The freshness made a difference in this game. We were almost always on top, and the wingers were as strong and fast as we were, they scored well. the rest of the game, I think we were fair winners”.

One more to cheer for: “No. I'll support, but there will be another coach. I'll have my job and my players. From tomorrow, I'll wear another jersey and I'll be the same person with another group. I'll create a connection with them, try to get to know my players and be very focused on my work. I'm simply going to support the work group. This group is very well oriented, they don't need my help. “.